Geelong students urged to mask up in new term as virus cases rise

Despite calls for renewed mask mandates in some settings amid Victoria’s latest Covid wave, one expert says schools are not the place for them. TAKE OUR POLL

Geelong students will not be required to wear face masks in the classroom despite fears rising Covid and influenza cases could cause major disruptions this term.

The Victorian Government came under fire on Tuesday after new Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas admitted she rejected health advice that recommended more mask mandates.

Instead, Victorians are recommended to wear a mask in certain settings and will be encouraged to get booster Covid-19 vaccine doses.

Students won't be required to wear face masks at schools despite climbing Covid and flu cases.

St Joseph’s College principal Tony Paatsch said more than 300 students were absent from the Newtown school each day during the final two weeks of term two as the community saw an explosion in flu and Covid cases.

As of Tuesday, Greater Geelong had 2480 active Covid-19 cases and 44 Covid-19 patients were being treated at Geelong hospital. A further 1297 flu cases have been recorded in the region this year.

Barwon South West Public Health Unit director Eugene Athan said there had been a “high number of respiratory-related presentations for Covid-19 at the emergency department”.

Deakin University chair of epidemiology Catherine Bennett said the issue of mask mandates in schools was a difficult area after two years of Covid disruptions.

Deakin University Chair in Epidemiology Prof Catherine Bennett says the impact of Covid-interrupted school is still being investigated.

“We’re still learning about the impact of schools closing,” Prof Bennett said.

“Mandating masks in schools, you risk potentially having more of an impact on how children benefit from their schooling.

“(But) using masks preventively might mean less disruption.

“If parents are concerned about their kids being exposed, masks are one way to protect them.”

Prof Bennett urged schools to create an environment where students who wore masks were supported and not ridiculed by peers.

“I’m not worried about the rejected mandate, but I am worried if that means people say masks are not important,” she said.

“I don’t think we have to say to everyone that they must wear one … but masks are one tool.”

Mr Paatsch said St Joseph’s College would continue to follow the state’s health advice and would not yet introduce a mask mandate.

“We have no plans to return to remote learning and while it is becoming more difficult to replace absent teachers, our staff continue to be exceptionally generous and committed and we expect to be able to continue to have a teacher in each class.”

Ms Thomas is also requesting that employers consider working from home arrangements that are “most appropriate for their workplace and employees based on individual requirements”.

St Ignatius College Geelong, Covenant College and Sacred Heart College Geelong said they would rely on government advice as to whether to reintroduce mask rules or not.

All three schools outlined Covid Safe practices being followed, including hand sanitiser stations, air purifiers, and social distancing measures.

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools executive director Jim Miles said principals were using innovative operational measures and working collaboratively to minimise disruption from staff and student absences caused Covid-19.

Professor Athan said there has been a large increase in influenza vaccination uptake, with Barwon Health’s Belmont vaccination centre also experiencing a “strong demand” for fourth Covid-19 vaccine doses.

Originally published as Geelong students urged to mask up in new term as virus cases rise