Executive Director’s Update to Principals #26 - 18 May 2022
Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for the remainder of Term 2
The Victorian Government will continue to provide Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for use by students and staff for the remainder of Term 2.
Schools will continue to be provided with the same weekly quantity of RATs.
However, from Monday 23 May 2022, it is recommended RATs are used by students and staff only when symptomatic. RATs are also required to be used for 5 days if a student or staff member is a close contact of a confirmed case and they are attending or working at a school.
From Monday 23 May 2022, it is not recommended that non-symptomatic students or staff continue to conduct RATs twice a week in mainstream schools and 5 days a week in specialist schools.
Students and staff must continue to notify the Department of Health and their school if they return a positive RAT result.
Vaccination remains the best way to protect students and staff in school settings and your ongoing support in encouraging children aged 5 to 11 to get vaccinated and staff and 16-17-year-olds to get their third dose remains critical.
The correct use of air purifiers also continues to be an important step in ensuring the safety of our schools. Please ensure your air purifiers are set on high (or the highest tolerable noise level). Air purifiers should not be set on auto.
Face masks also can continue to be used by any staff or students who wish to do so, including those who are medically at-risk.
A letter for parents and carers has been created to support your communication about the changes.
Thank you for everything you are doing to keep schools open and safe.