COVID-SAFE measures for the start of the school year next week have been revealed, including rapid antigen testing twice a week for school teachers, staff and students and mandatory mask wearing indoors for high school students and staff.

Mask wearing will also be mandatory indoors for primary school teachers and staff and is strongly recommended for primary school students.

Vented masks and cloth masks will no longer be permitted to be worn, with surgical masks required instead, which will be available at schools.

Parents are advised to watch their child for symptoms and if their child is unwell, even with mild symptoms, keep them home and get them tested.

The NSW Government is strongly encouraging all students and their families to get vaccinated against Covid-19, and with vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 now open parents are encouraged to book their younger children in for a vaccination before the start of school on Tuesday 1 February.

Once eligible, all adults are also encouraged to get booster shots.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant stressed on Monday 24 January the importance of people getting booster vaccinations.

“My clear view is that boosters are essential,” Dr Chant said.

“I really can’t stress enough that boosters now need to be seen not as boosters but as a requirement to get that extra protection.

“People should see that third dose as essential.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet stated at a press conference on Monday 24 January that the State was “ready to go to open schools in a very safe way”.

All staff and students are asked to take a rapid antigen test and get a negative result before attending school at the start of Term 1.

Rapid antigen tests will be provided to all staff and students through their schools and schools will inform parents on how these kits can be collected.

For the first four weeks, students and staff should take a rapid antigen test twice a week in the morning before attending school, with test kits to continue to be supplied by schools.

Staff and students who get a positive rapid antigen test must register it at service.nsw.gov.au or on the Service NSW app and tell their school as soon as possible.

Schools will regularly communicate to parents about the presence and impact of Covid-19 in their school community, including any impacted year groups or cohorts.

If your child has no symptoms and there is a positive Covid-19 case in their class, year or other grouping they can continue to attend school in line with NSW Health advice.

Students who are household close contacts of a positive Covid-19 case must isolate at home for 7 days.

The NSW Government has informed that all learning spaces in public schools have been checked to ensure appropriate levels of ventilation, and air purifiers have been provided where needed.

Using outdoor spaces will continue to be encouraged in schools.

Parents will be made aware of the risk of exposure of particular school activities and will need to give their permission for participation in extracurricular, out of school hours or off-site activities.

Schools will continue using cohort arrangements and consider staggered student drop-off and pick up times, break times, playground and canteen access for the first four weeks of the school term.

Visitors on school sites will be kept to a minimum to support essential school activities for student needs.

A maximum of two parents or carers per student will be allowed onto school grounds for Kindergarten orientation or Year 7 transition at the start of the school year next week.

 

By Emma DARBIN