Covid-19 mask rules in SA schools scrapped

SA school students will no longer have to wear masks for the first time this year, the state’s Covid-19 chiefs have ruled – but face coverings will be “strongly recommended”.

Blackfriars students Daniel Heath and Cooper Smith are happy mask mandates will end soon in schools. Picture: Tom Huntley

South Australian school students can be unmasked for the first time this year, the state’s Covid-19 chiefs have ruled.

As foreshadowed by The Advertiser, cabinet’s Emergency Management Council on Tuesday authorised mandatory education mask rules could be scrapped from Monday at the start of week five. And, in a significant step forward in the fight against Covid, the state’s Major Emergency Declaration also has been lifted after 793 days.

The EMC ruled that masks will now be strongly recommended, but not required, for all adults, including visitors, and students in years 3 to 12.

Authorities said masks will only be required at a school in circumstances where one class reports 10 or more cases over seven days or a school has five classes with five cases or more over a week period.

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Premier Peter Malinauskas said the removal of masks in schools was an “important step forward” for many high school students wanting to return to a “normal” leaning environment.“

If (children) want to wear a mask, they can still elect to do so. But the broad mask mandate in schools will be lifted,” Mr Malinauskas said.

However, schools will be required to monitor case numbers and reinstate mask requirements if more than 10 cases are detected in one class, or more than five cases in five different classes.

Last year high school students were forced to cover up for 88 days from 12.01am Wednesday 29 July until October 25.

And since the start of the school year on February 2, students in years 7-12, their teachers, school staff and adult visitors have been forced to cover up.

Masks have also been “strongly recommended” in years 3-6, under the latest official edict the former Liberal government imposed.

Sisters Olivia, 9, and Ellie, 12, and cousins Milla, 7, have been masked at school. Picture: Tom Huntley

In a decision Premier Peter Malinauskas spearheaded, the EMC heard latest data showed Covid cases across the state’s 500 schools was significantly down on the chaotic Term 1.

Chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, also presented updated advice that paved the way for the decision to scrap masks in school for the first time in 117 days.

Despite masks being abandoned in all walks of life except public transport and high risk settings, students were forced to cover up for the first four weeks of term 2 amid concerns about the virus spreading.

The government, which admitted there was a “mixed” response to the mask mandate – that were imposed by the Education Department and not through a legal direction – also claimed it was also to allow for 1000 more school ventilators to be installed. Mr Malinauskas announced the details on Tuesday along with a decision to scrap the Emergency Declaration.

Education Minister Blair Boyer briefed the committee via video-link from isolation after contracting Covid-19 on Sunday.

Students Jorja and Mackenzie mask up on their way to school. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Latest Education Department data shows far west coast’s Yalata Anangu School is closed, just under halfway between Ceduna and the WA border.

All of Port Augusta secondary, except year 12s, are home schooling one day a week while Playford International College is alternating year levels with remote learning.

Henley High’s year 12s are home schooling.

During Term 1, 14 schools and more than 15 classes had disrupted classes.

There are 3,409 students and 652 staff absent with Covid-19, compared to 5,620 students and 847 staff at the end of Term 1.

Almost 43 per cent of 148,253 eligible students aged five to 11 are double jabbed.

This week the government will open the first of 40 school vaccination hubs across the state.

Professor Nicola Spurrier and Education Minister Blair Boyer at a press conference to announce the State Government opening 40 vaccination hubs at school sites across regional and metro South Australia, , at Marryatville Primary School in Kensington. Picture: Tom Huntley