Executive Director’s Update to Principals #27: COVID Update - 13 February 2023
COVID-19 Update
The School Operations Guide has been updated in line with government requirements for Term 1, 2023. This document is now referred to as ‘CECV COVID-19 advice’ and can be accessed via the CEVN website.
COVID-19 Reporting Requirements.
Schools are no longer asked to report positive COVID-19 cases centrally to their diocesan education office. The notification form has been removed from the CEVN website.
You are not required to alert your school communities of positive cases.
The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 should inform those with whom they have recently been in contact, including their workplace, school and household.
Rapid Antigen Tests.
Schools will no longer receive supplies of rapid antigen tests (RATs). These are now available for all Victorians from council sites.
Further information can be obtained from the CECV COVID-19 advice.
COVIDSafe Plans.
Schools must keep their COVIDSafe Plan in place. The updated COVIDSafe Plan template can be accessed via the CEVN website.
Leave entitlements to support staff with COVID-19 to isolate.
As a reminder, staff who test positive for COVID-19 will be able to access five days paid infectious diseases leave when COVID-19 has been contracted at school, without a medical certificate (though evidence, such as a RAT, may be required), in addition to personal leave.
Staff who are unfit to return to work and who have accessed five days paid infectious diseases leave can access personal leave for the duration of the time they are unfit for work, with a medical certificate.
Next COVID Update
We would like to acknowledge the outstanding effort you have made as leaders within your schools 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-19 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.