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COVID safe measures and requirements

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    The Department for Education has implemented COVID safe measures and testing and isolation requirements in schools, preschools, out of school hours care (OSHC) and children’s centres.

    Testing and isolating requirements

    To find out what you need to do if there’s a positive COVID-19 case at your early childhood education and care service, preschool, school or OSHC:

    COVID safe measures

    COVID safe measures for all our workplaces are continually reviewed on a regular basis in line with current SA Health advice.

    We recognise that every education and care setting is being affected by COVID-19 in different ways and that site leaders are best placed to make local decisions.

    Vaccination in education settings

    For details about vaccination requirements see COVID-19 vaccination requirements for education and early childhood settings.

    Face masks in education settings

    It’s strongly recommended you wear a face mask if you:

    • are a close contact and are indoors
    • visit someone who is at risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

    Children and young people under 12 years are not required to wear a mask.

    Face mask use during outbreaks

    Face masks may be temporarily required to be worn in education settings when COVID-19 transmission reaches certain outbreak thresholds. This will only be for:

    • students in years 7 to 12
    • all staff and visitors.

    You'll be advised by the site leader if face masks are required.

    Exemptions for face masks

    Exemptions for wearing a face mask will be made for students who have a medical condition. This could include:

    • problems with their breathing
    • a serious skin condition on the face
    • a disability
    • a mental health condition.

    Parents should discuss their child’s requirements with the site leader.

    Guidelines for camps or excursions

    Students and staff:

    • cannot attend overnight camps for at least 7 days from the date of a positive rapid antigen test (RAT)
    • should avoid attending OSHC, extra-curricular activities and excursions for at least 7 days from the date of a positive RAT.

    Students and staff should not go on camp or excursions if they are symptomatic or feeling mildly unwell even if they have a negative RAT result.

    Classes should not go on camp or excursions if the class is temporarily closed or on RAT testing regime.

    Ventilation

    A well-ventilated space can lower the risk of aerosol transmission of COVID-19.

    To improve ventilation education settings can:

    • increase fresh air into indoor spaces whenever possible by opening windows and doors, including staff rooms and administration areas
    • air out rooms when not in use
    • use ceiling fans where natural ventilation is available to encourage airflow, however, avoid using fans in enclosed spaces (where fresh air is not available)
    • windows and doors do not need to be kept open if indoor spaces have fresh air introduced via the mechanical air conditioning and ventilation system.

    In cases of poor outdoor air quality (such as smoke, thunderstorm or asthma events), windows and doors should be closed and air conditioners set to re-circulate.

    Preventing and managing illness

    The best way to stop the spread of illness is to practice good hygiene. You can reduce the risk of getting sick or passing infections on to others by:

    • washing your hands regularly, particularly after using the toilet and before eating
    • use alcohol-based sanitiser
    • wiping down frequently touched surfaces
    • covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue
    • avoiding touching their eyes, nose and mouth
    • staying home if you are unwell so you don’t spread infections to others.

    SA Health Stop the Spread has resources to display about preventing illness.

    Learning at school and preschool

    Children and students who test positive for COVID-19 should not attend school, preschool or an education and care setting until acute symptoms have cleared (usually 5 to 7 days).

    If your child is isolating as a result of testing positive to COVID-19, they can use the department’s learning at home lessons if they want to continue their learning at home. Reception to year 10 students can use any device to access lessons that are delivered via video or Microsoft PowerPoint.

    The learning at home lessons and other resources are on Our Learning SA.