Executive Director’s Update to Principals #106: COVID Update - 22 Oct 2021

God of the weary,
God of the burdened:
As the pandemic continues,
it would be stranger
if fatigue didn’t set it,
not only for those
who fight for breath,
or are working countless shifts,
but for all those whose minds
are occupied with stress and worry, laden with concerns for the future. Turn our ear to your invitation to come and rest a while.
Give us again what we struggle to hold: the strength to let go of control. 
Amen.

~ The Corrymeela Community

COVID Update

State of Emergency extended

The Victorian State of Emergency Powers have been extended until 11.59pm on 18 November 2021 – see details on the Department of Health website.

Air purifiers 

Air purifier update from VSBA

We have received advice about air purifiers from the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA). Air purification devices are being rolled out to all government and low-fee paying non-government schools. 

The allocation, distribution and prioritisation of the devices are based on public health advice.  Your school will receive email advice the week prior to receiving it’s allocation of air purifiers.

It is important to note that ventilation is one part of the broader suite of controls to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in school settings including vaccination, physical distancing, good hygiene, cleaning and mask use. Ventilation should not be considered in isolation of other mitigation strategies.

Increasing fresh outdoor air flow into the indoor spaces at your school is the best first step in reducing the of transmission.  

There are 4 overarching principles to guide the use of school spaces in the return to school in Term 4, 2021.

1. Maximise ventilation of indoor spaces with fresh outdoor air
2. Minimise using spaces that can’t be ventilated with fresh outdoor air
3. Maximise the use of outdoor learning areas or environments
4. Prioritise the use of air purifiers in higher risk settings.

More details on this can be found at the Ventilation page on the Policy Advisory Library. 

Air purifier supply

Air purifier allocation for each school is still unknown and it could be up to 4 months to receive any complimentary units from the State Government.

As mentioned in yesterday’s Executive Director’s COVID Update #104 (21 October 2021), CECV has negotiated special pricing with Westlab for two different sized units – see unit specifications.

Based on this we will circulate a survey next week requesting your interest in making a purchase of units for the interim and then be able to utilise these as extras after the government allocation arrives.

Air flow poster

This Department of Education and Training poster is now available to promote the importance of air flow in schools.

Business Victoria posters

The following posters sourced from Business Victoria may be helpful for schools to use or adapt: 

• Digital certificate instructions
• Proof of vaccination status
• Vaccination status required
• Face masks must be worn
• Physical distancing
• Respect our staff

Leadership COVID vaccination forum

Thank you to those who attended this morning’s COVID vaccination forum. The meeting recording is below or can be accessed here. 

CEB Human Resources team

Principals should contact the CEB HR team for assistance with the following:

1. In responding to staff who do not meet the vaccination requirements per the Directions, including providing a letter from the Executive Director regarding this requirement and leave options
2. Where an employee did not meet the evidence requirements by 18 October 2021, is now vaccinated and requests to return to work, or
3. Other employee relations (ER) related queries.

Next COVID Update