Crucial details for Feb 7 return to school and work as 13 deaths, 8580 cases recorded

Queensland has recorded 13 deaths and 8580 Covid cases, including the new even more contagious variant of Omicron. It comes as the state details its back-to-school plan and encourages workers to also go back to the office.

Queensland has recorded 13 more deaths and 8580 new Covid cases, including the new even more contagious variant of Omicron.

It comes as more information on the state’s back-to-school plan has been provided, with workers also encouraged to go back to the office.

Of the deaths, two people were aged in their 60s, four in their 70s, three in their 80s, three in their 90s, and one over 100. Five of the people were unvaccinated, eight had two doses and none of them had a booster.

There are now 745 cases being treated in hospital, which is down from yesterday, and 41 people in ICU.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged parents to get their children vaccinated before they return to school.

The Premier said she wanted schools to be a “safe place” for teachers and students.

Masks will now be mandatory in high schools, and strongly encouraged in Year 3 upwards.

“A lot of people have had experience with this … This is an added safety measure during this particular time,” she said.

Teachers can remove their masks to speak and students can remove them when seated.

COVID-19 Update: The Premier and Education Minister are making an announcement about the return to school. #covid19https://t.co/LDLAvNdj4L

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) January 30, 2022

Ms Palaszczuk said there is no need for regular RAT testing of students or teachers but if a student develops symptoms, parents will be provided with a test to administer at home.

“There is no requirement, no health advice, to have the school community regularly tested,” she said.

As a part of the back to school plan, free RAT tests will be prioritised to students and staff who are presenting symptoms.

Students and teachers who develop symptoms at school will be handed a free RAT test and sent home immediately.

The Premier said she wanted parents to have confidence that there would be RAT tests available for their children if they become symptomatic.

Education Minister Grace Grace said there could be more than 750,000 RAT tests organised to be handed out to both public and private schools over the four weeks.

She said unvaccinated parents are still able to enter school grounds to pick up and drop off students from schools.

School camps, excursions, large assemblies and large gatherings will be suspended in schools for the first four weeks.

“We don’t want to have unnecessary movements … We want to limit visitors to school sites,” Ms Grace said.

From Year 2 upwards, parents will be asked to limit movements for the first four weeks and use specific drop-off and pick-up zones.

Ms Grace said Queensland has a “very good track record” with keeping schools safe.

Closing schools will be the “last resort” according to Ms Grace, who said outbreaks at schools will be treated as all outbreaks are currently treated.

Ms Palaszczuk announced that as long as workers are wearing masks indoors, it is now also safe for people to return to work.

“Monday February 7, back to school, back to work. I think it all sounds good,” she said.

Education Minister Grace Grace said her Covid experience was “no walk in the park”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Education Minister Grace Grace tested negative last night after a week off and said her experience with Covid was “no walk in the park”.

“Anyone who was thinking twice about it, please go get vaccinated. It’s the best protection you’re going to receive,” she said.

Ms Grace said the state was following a “comprehensive” plan to return to school.

“We have a full week to implement, largely, what has been implemented in schools over the last two years,” she said.

She said the plan focused on keeping schools safe through measures including wearing masks and improving ventilation through airconditioning.

Ms Grace said over 98 per cent of Queensland teachers are now fully vaccinated following the mandate, and there are 5000 relief staff who are on call.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said that if the new strain was more contagious it gave more reason for people to get vaccinated.

There are now 3411 health and ambulance staff who are either positive or quarantining, which Ms D’Ath said was a “significant drop” from earlier in the month where case numbers were over 6000.

Chief health officer John Gerrard on Saturday indicated that masks would be mandatory for students in Year 7 and above, and encouraged for children above Year 3, when school resumed in a week.

“I’m jumping the gun here because the plan will be released very soon and will be detailed,” Dr Gerrard said.

“Let’s wait until the plan is officially released.

“The plan is pretty commonsense. There isn’t anything in the plan that will shock Queenslanders.”

Dr Gerrard suggested there would be a spike in Covid-19 cases, particularly in young people, when school resumed from February 7.