Q&A: Return to school rules explained

New Covid rules are in place for Victorian schools. Find the answers to all your questions about rapid tests, masks, isolating and more.

Who will take the tests and how often?

All primary and secondary students and staff and early childhood education and care staff will be asked to test twice a week, before school or childcare. Students and staff at specialist schools will be recommended to test five days each week.

How will families receive tests?

Rapid antigen tests have been delivered to schools, which will distribute them to students. Parents will also be invited to pick them up.

Are they free?

Yes. The 14 million RATs will be used for surveillance testing in schools only.

How many tests have been ordered?

More than 14 million rapid antigen tests, including 6.6 million for the first week of term, will be delivered. The tests will be used over the first four weeks of term one, and the plan will be reviewed at the end of that period.

Do students have to isolate if a classmate tests positive?

Under the change in close contact rules, children who are in the same classroom as a positive case will not be considered close contacts. Instead, their classmates’ parents will be notified and told to look out for symptoms. Surveillance testing also will be done twice weekly, in case there are asymptomatic cases.

What happens if a student develops symptoms at school?

If a student develops symptoms at school, they will be taken to a sick bay, parents or carers will be contacted and they will have a rapid antigen test. They should isolate at home until symptoms subside.

Lenny, Ayda and Sienna know the drill at St John Vianney Primary School. Picture:Rob Leeson.

What happens if a teacher tests positive?

If a teacher tests positive via a RAT, they are required to report that result to the Health Department and isolate for seven days. The state government has also created a pool of inactive teachers, education support staff and retired principals for schools to use for any Covid-related workforce shortages.

What will happen if there are staff shortages?

Casual relief teachers, principals, retired and inactive staff will be called in to cover classroom gaps, while classes may be combined and held in larger areas as needs arise. In extreme situations staff who are close household contacts will continue working.

Who needs to wear a mask?

Mask wearing will continue, and students in grade three and above are required to wear them while indoors. Teachers will be required to wear masks at all times when not actively teaching or talking to students. Close to six million masks will be handed out in schools, including N95s and surgical masks in child and adult sizes.

Will schools have air purifiers?

More than 51,000 air purifiers have been delivered to schools across the state to prevent Covid transmission in high-risk settings, such as classrooms with poor ventilation.

Will extra-curricular activities such as sport, music and camps continue?

Yes, but they can be cancelled if there is not enough staff to take them.

Braxton McLaglen, 7, after taking a rapid antigen test. Picture: Alan Barber

Does my child need to be vaccinated?

Children aged 5-11 are eligible for their Covid-19 vaccination and are encouraged to do so. More than 66,000 vaccination appointments are available over the coming month.

Will classes take place indoors?

More than 1800 schools have applied for a shade cloth grant to allow outside classes to reduce transmission. More than 51,000 air purifiers will be installed by term one in “high risk settings” such as staff rooms, indoor canteens, sick bays and rooms with poor ventilation.

Do teachers need to get a third Covid vaccine dose?

Yes. School and early childhood staff will be required to receive a third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by February 25, if they are eligible, or within three months and two weeks of receiving a second dose to continue working. Education Minister James Merlino said an overwhelming majority of Victorian teachers supported vaccines, and 99.7 per cent of teaching staff had been double- vaccinated at the end of term four last year.

Will schools close?

Closures will only be considered as a last resort and, if they do occur, will take place on a localised short-term basis.