The Victorian government has announced changes to how students will return to classrooms at the start of the 2022 year to contain the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The measures will be in effect from the start of the term 1, with most students returning to school on Monday, January 31.

Testing

Rapid antigen testing will be in place for at least the first four weeks of term one.

The Victorian Government will deliver more than 14 million RATs to schools and early childhood education and care services, including 6.6 million tests in the first week of term.

Twice weekly surveillance testing will be strongly recommended for all primary and secondary school students and staff, early childhood education and care staff

Students and staff at specialist schools will be recommended to test five days a week due to the higher risk of severe illness for medically vulnerable children

Vaccination requirements

School and early childhood staff will be added to the list of workers who must receive a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by February 25, or within three months and two weeks of receiving a second dose to continue working in education settings.

The Victorian government has announced its back-to-school plan.Credit:Penny Stephens

Ventilation, outdoor learning support

Improved ventilation will be a key measure to slow the spread of COVID-19, particularly in high-risk areas like staff rooms, music rooms, indoor canteens and other high-traffic areas.

All 51,000 air-purification devices that were ordered will be delivered to government and low-fee non-government schools for the first day of term 1.

More than 1800 schools have applied for a shade sail grant. Construction is already underway at more than 300 of these schools to allow more classes to be conducted outside.

The government has also invested $7.5 million in early childhood services to improve ventilation, and a further $7.4 million to support kindergarten services to implement COVIDSafe measures.

Dealing with staff shortages

The government has also launched a pool of inactive teachers, education support staff, retired principals and surge administrative support staff for schools to cover any COVID-19-related staff shortages.

Masks

Mask wearing will continue, with students in grade 3 and above required to wear masks indoors.

Teachers will be required to wear masks at all times when not actively teaching or communicating with students.

Remote learning

Remote learning will be considered only as a localised, short-term last resort.

Schools and kindergartens will be required to inform staff, parents and carers when there is a positive case and will provide advice on any steps families are required to take.

When students are required to isolate as a close contact or positive case, the Department of Education will provide a suite of online resources for students from prep to year 10, ensuring they have activities and work to complete.

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