COVID-safe schools plan 2023

This was last updated May 2023. This plan is regularly reviewed to keep up to date and comply with Public Health advice.
While this plan has been developed for schools, the COVID-safe measures are practical and can be applied at any Department for Education, Children and Young People site.

COVID-safe measures

All Department for Education, Children and Young People sites are maintaining COVID-safe measures. These measures include encouraging COVID-safe behaviours, maintaining safe sites, engaging with families, managing risks related to activities on sites, school travel and vulnerable students.

Behaviours

Hygiene

• Do not come to school if unwell – this applies to staff, students and visitors.
• Staff, students and visitors are asked to follow all COVID-safe behaviours, particularly as they apply to their personal circumstances.
• Keep your hands clean by using soap and water or hand sanitiser.

Face masks

• All students, staff and visitors are supported to wear masks should they choose to.
• Consider wearing a face mask indoors where you cannot physically distance from others.

Testing

• If you feel unwell, then test.
• Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are available in schools for students and staff.
• Maintain a supply of RATs in your home in case you become unwell.

Vaccination

• Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines helps protect you from severe illness due to COVID-19.
• Staff, students and visitors are encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza (the flu).

Safe sites

Supporting COVID-safe behaviours

• Hand sanitiser is available at all sites.
• Face masks are readily available on site for anyone to use.

Ventilation

• Spaces are well-ventilated through natural airflow where possible.
• Other mechanical equipment is also used to promote airflow and improve ventilation.
• Schools will take advantage of outdoor learning opportunities.

Cleaning

• Frequent cleaning is undertaken, particularly on high-touch surfaces.

Family engagement

• Families and volunteers are welcome in schools, for indoor and outdoor activities and events, as long as they do not have symptoms, practise COVID-safe behaviours and follow any school advice.
  Events and activities include engaging in parent-teacher meetings, Launching into Learning, school assemblies, musical and drama productions, prize evenings and attending sporting events.
• Schools may need to implement additional risk mitigations for events and activities to minimise the risk of COVID-19, such as limiting the number of attendees or requiring physical distancing.
• When COVID-19 cases in a class increase more than expected, families will be communicated with. This is important to help support vulnerable family members.

Activities

• All school activities can occur as long as the risks associated with COVID-19 are managed. This includes excursions (day and overnight), school camps, fairs and carnivals, productions, assemblies and prize nights.
• Activities should encourage COVID-safe behaviours and factor in the COVID-19 risk in the community at that time.
• Depending on the level of risk of the activity or in the community, additional consideration may be required to ensure spaces are well-ventilated, face masks are readily available, physical distancing is supported and the numbers of participants are limited.
• Staff can come together for staff meetings or professional development with COVID-safe measures in place to manage risks. All staff are to practise COVID-safe behaviours. This includes not attending the workplace when experiencing symptoms.
• Intrastate travel, including overnight excursions and camps, can go ahead with appropriate Department approval and a risk mitigation plan.

Interstate and international travel for school groups

• Interstate travel can go ahead from Term 1 with a comprehensive risk assessment and contingency plan in place.
• International travel for school groups can recommence from Term 2, 2023. Overseas travel is subject to a robust risk assessment and contingency plan.
• Department approval must be sought for interstate and international travel.
• Considerations for travelling must be revised prior to departure to ensure the risk assessment remains up to date.

Vulnerable students

• All Tasmanians have a role to protect the vulnerable. By following COVID-safe behaviours and staying home when unwell, you help protect vulnerable students from the impacts of COVID-19.
• School staff wear masks when working closely with students known to be medically vulnerable to COVID-19.
• Staff do not provide direct support to students medically vulnerable to COVID-19 for at least seven days from testing positive to COVID-19.
• For any enquiries related to this plan, please email COVID19Support@decyp.tas.gov.au.