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Roger Jaensch,Minister for Education

After a positive start to the school year, the Tasmanian Liberal Government is releasing stage two of its COVID Safe Schools Plan which outlines how schools will continue to safely manage COVID-19 for the remainder of Term 1.

Being at school is the best place for our children and this next plan builds on everything we have learnt and implemented from the initial Return to School Plan (Weeks 1 to 5) and since the start of the pandemic.

As we transition to living with COVID, this forward planning helps ensure our schools can stay open in a safe and measured way – making every day of student learning count.

Vaccinations are one way we can keep our schools safe and while they’re not mandatory for children, it is strongly encouraged.

There are bookings available for children aged between 5-11 to receive their first or second dose.

Importantly, many successful measures that have already been implemented will continue for the rest of the Term, as a multi-pronged approach to managing COVID-19 in schools has been critical.

Key measures in this latest plan include:

• Face-to-face learning will continue with COVID-safe measures in place. If students need to isolate due to COVID-19, they can learn at home via the Virtual Learning Centre.
• Students with disability who have complex health needs will continue to be supported by their school with individual learning plans.
• Regular school and learning activities will continue in a COVID-safe manner.
• Testing for COVID-19 when you have symptoms will continue. Students and staff will have access to rapid antigen tests at their school, to use if they have symptoms.
• In Government schools, every school has a dedicated COVID-19 support person, who works closely with Public Health if there are COVID-19 cases. Other mechanisms are in place in the non-government sector. Families will be contacted directly about any COVID-19 impacts at their school.
• COVID-19 outbreaks will be safely managed by Public Health.
• Workforce planning strategies are in place to ensure there are enough staff in schools.
• Face mask requirements will continue, in line with Public Health advice – wearing a face mask if you’re 12+ years.
• Vaccinations are not mandatory for children, but they are strongly encouraged. There are bookings available for children aged between 5-11 to receive their first or second dose.

The updated plan for the remainder of Term 1 builds on the successful start to the Term which is a credit to our schools and to our school communities.

When COVID-safe measures are in place, and everyone does their part and works together, students are given the best learning opportunities.

The Department of Education will continue working closely with government school communities and the non-government sector to support them with managing COVID-19 in their communities.