Executive Director’s Update to Principals #122: COVID Update - 18 Nov 2021
God of David, God of Ruth:
the heroes you chose
from among the people
were time and again the ones pushed past the margins or forgotten or forced to prove their own worth. We pause to remember the frontline workers who
gave their lives for the national health: Tariq and Afua and Onyenachi,
Jennie and Jason and Lilly; and all those whose families now grieve. And we pray in this silence
that our sense of family and
hero and nation extends
beyond our inherited traits.
Amen.
~ The Corrymeela Community
COVID Update
90% vaccination rate announcements and requirements
As it is expected that Victoria will soon have 90% of eligible persons fully vaccinated, the government has announced that nearly all remaining restrictions are to be lifted statewide for fully vaccinated people from 11.59 pm tonight, Thursday 18 November. The media release and infographic summary of changes can be viewed on the Premier’s website.
However, COVIDSafe practices within schools will still be required along with the COVIDSafe plan. Further details and an updated School Operations Guide will be provided when we have received advice from the Department of Education and Training via CECV.
Face mask requirements
Masks will still be required for primary school staff and visitors, and for students in Years 3 to 6. We are clarifying the requirements that apply to secondary school settings.
Self-isolation/quarantine requirements
From 11.59 pm tonight, Thursday 18 November, students who come into contact with a confirmed positive case at school won’t have to self-quarantine. These contacts will be required to get a standard (PCR) test and isolate until they get a negative result.
Students or staff exposed at school will need to show a negative PCR test result to return to work or school – with recommended rapid antigen testing thereafter.
Once a student or staff member receives a negative test, they can attend school. This applies to any individuals who were identified as PCCs from this week. They can attend school tomorrow and any sacramental celebrations planned for this weekend.
Self-isolation continues to be required for individuals who have had more than four hours of contact with a positive case from their household, accommodation, or care setting. They must isolate for seven days if fully vaccinated or 14 days if not fully vaccinated, with a PCR test required on day 0 and for release.
Children under 12 who are household contacts are considered fully vaccinated if everyone else in their household aged over 12 is fully vaccinated.
In addition to isolation changes for contacts, people who have COVID-19 will be required to isolate for 10 days, instead of 14 days.
Contact identification
Schools will be required to continue identifying PCCs and submitting the spreadsheet (Excel) to the Department of Health and the DOBCEL COVID Response Coordinator.
Schools will notify those PCCs who were exposed and advise them to get a PCR test. School contacts presenting to testing centres for their PCR test will also be offered government-funded rapid antigen tests for recommended use before entering sensitive settings.
More to come
The Department of Education & Training is currently working through the details for schools. We will provide further information as soon as it becomes available. At this time, you should continue to follow the advice in the current School Operations Guide or the Department of Health where the school has been identified as an exposure site.
Next COVID Update
We will continue to monitor the situation and advise principals of any updates. Please liaise with the COVID Support team (see left hand column) or your Education Consultant with any questions or concerns.
Stay safe and continue to look after each other…
Every blessing.
Ange Jones
Assistant Director: People and Development