Schools are open.
In certain circumstances, NSW Health and the Department of Education may advise to reintroduce COVID-smart measures at your school. Your principal will work with NSW Health and the department and provide further details of any changes at your school when needed.
The Department of Education has removed the mandatory vaccination requirement for all staff, except for those working in or with Schools for Specific Purpose (SSPs), where students may be at greater risk of serious illness if they contract COVID-19.
Close contacts
Students and staff who are close contacts and have no symptoms can attend school if they follow the guidelines from the NSW Department of Education and NSW Health.
For information on what close contacts must do to be able to attend school, visit education.nsw.gov.au then click on ‘COVID-19’ followed by ‘Advice for families’.
Attending school if a student is a household contact
To return to school, all staff and students must notify the school that they are a household contact and do the following for the next 5 school days:
- All staff and students should do a daily rapid antigen test before school. They should not attend school if they receive a positive result.
- All staff and secondary school students must wear a face mask indoors.
- Primary school students are strongly recommended to wear a face mask indoors.
Based on expert advice, the NSW Government has made a record investment in equipping schools with additional air quality measures, including:
- Providing air purifiers in colder climates
- Installing mechanical ventilation
- Checking air conditioners and heaters
- Providing resources for school principals on recommended ventilation practices.
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings (long day care, family day care and outside school hours care) are at a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission due to the close interactions between people and the amount of time spent in settings that are often indoors.
Children are less likely to have serious illness from COVID-19, but they can still transmit the virus to others and therefore it is important to follow the health advice and consider your individual circumstances.
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has useful information for families: COVID-19 and children: Frequently asked questions.launch
All staff and family members should have their COVID-19 booster vaccine as soon as they are eligible to reduce the likelihood of severe illness and transmission.