THERE are new protocols for asymptomatic close contact students to minimise disruption to classroom learning but children who are close contacts due to household contact should not attend school for seven days.
Under the McGowan Government very high caseload settings, students in school or early childhood education and care settings, who are asymptomatic but have been identified as a close contact under the existing definitions (but not a household close contact), will be able to continue attending school or childcare and benefit from face-to-face learning.
On Wednesday, March 9 the government said the school-based close contact protocols would allow asymptomatic students in school or childcare to attend school, childcare, after-school care and other school-based sporting, cultural training or after-school events at the students’ school, but self-isolate at all other times until the seven days had passed.
This does not include attending other social, cultural or community sporting activities not based at the asymptomatic students’ school.
Schools and childcare can utilise the critical worker definitions for staff, if necessary.
To assist with meeting the critical worker requirements, RATs have been distributed to public and non-government schools across WA for use by asymptomatic staff identified as close contacts who agree to return to work.
Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said with the number of schools impacted by cases of Covid-19 continuing to rise, it was necessary get the balance right to ensure students were not missing out on learning opportunities for no reason.
“The school-based close contact protocols will mean students who are showing no signs of illness can continue attending class under very high caseload settings,’’ she said.
“However, based on the chief health officer’s advice, children who are close contacts due to household contact should not attend school for seven days and quarantine as per current advice.
“We know teachers and education staff provide a critical role in our society – that’s why we are classifying them as critical workers and providing RATs to all schools for use by staff so education can continue to be provided in a safe way.”
Community Services Minister Simone McGurk said the new settings would help keep children and educators safe and minimise disruption for families.
