Executive Director’s Update to Principals #15: COVID Update - 4 March 2022
God of our going out and our coming in: each step we take today
needs to make space for others.
Each errand we run,
each purchase we make,
has to make sense for the whole. We must consider how our lives affect the lives around us.
This is not new.
It has always been thus.
But going forward, in this next step, may this truth finally come home.
Amen.
Please continue to collect vaccination information from staff
With the 25th March deadline pending, please check any staff who may unable to meet the deadline and liaise with Human Resources Manager Maree Baker if you have questions or concerns.
Booster Evidence Requirements for Principals
To facilitate a simple way for Principals to satisfy the obligation to provide evidence of being fully vaccinated – boosted before the deadline of 25 March 2022 all DOBCEL principals are required to email this information to covid@dobcel.catholic.edu.au. This is a secure email inbox with limited access, managed by Ange Jones and Tom Sexton.
Accepted evidence is a copy of a digital COVID vaccination certificate (Service Victoria app or smartphone wallet), a scanned copy of a printed certificate, immunisation history statement or exemption.
If you have an eligible exception for this booster deadline, please email this information to covid@dobcel.catholic.edu.au.
CEB will maintain a secure and confidential register of the required vaccination information as prescribed by the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Specified Facilities) Order.
Should you have questions about this request please speak with your Education Consultant, or Ange Jones.
Exception Following a Confirmed or Probable COVID-19 Case
We apologise for the formal language of the following explanation flowing from the COVID discussion with Principals this morning. We spoke about the change to the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Specified Facilities) Order effective 25 February 2022, specifically the exception to the booster deadline of 25 March 2022, following a recent diagnosis or probable case of COVID.
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Part 1, Division 2, Clause 15 provides for an extension of time where a person has been diagnosed as a confirmed COVID case (positive PCR test) or as a probable case (positive RAT). In this event, the person has 4 months from the date of diagnosis (or probable case) to be boosted.
The Order provides the following notes in respect of this exception.
- Note 1: to demonstrate to an operator of a specified facility that a worker is covered by this exception, the worker may provide the operator with a written positive result from a COVID-19 PCR test for the purposes of subclause (1) and (2)(b), or a written declaration of their positive result from a COVID-19 rapid antigen test for the purposes of subclause (2)(a).
To reduce the impost of medical professionals and individuals seeking a formal exemption, the education worker does not need to seek a medical exemption in this case. Rather, we should operate on the basis of trust that people will make an informed decision about the timing of their booster once they have recovered from COVID.
Read in conjunction with the following which provides the outer limit timing to become fully vaccinated - boosted:
- Note 2: once 4 months have passed since the worker's period of self-isolation has ended, an operator can only permit the worker to enter, or remain on, the premises of the specified facility after the booster deadline if the worker is fully vaccinated (boosted).
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While the School Operations Guide makes reference to a temporary medical exemption, CECV has confirmed this is a separate point and refers to an exemption that may be given by a medical practitioner due to a medical contravention to the COVID vaccine.
In short, if someone tests positive, they have 4 months to be fully vaccinated (boosted) from the date the date of diagnosis with supporting evidence of the diagnosis. This is a further consideration when determining staff who may not be fully vaccinated (Boosted) on the 25th March.
Vaccination Survey
We are expecting a survey from the Department of Health to gather data from parents/carers across the state on vaccinations for 5-11 year olds to determine what would be helpful in encouraging more children to get vaccinated before the commencement of winter.
As this survey becomes available, could you please share it with your school community through your regular communication channels.
Next COVID Update
We would like to acknowledge the outstanding effort you have made as leaders within your schools over the past four weeks to ensure that our schools have remained open for face-to-face learning and teaching. Many thanks for all you are doing to keep our schools safe.
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