COVID-19 Restrictions Eased As Classrooms Set to Return to Normal

COVID Smart settings in NSW schools have been revised, giving students the first taste of normal school life since the pandemic began two years ago.

Whilst some core COVID Smart measures will remain in place, such as enhanced cleaning and maximising natural and mechanical ventilation in line with health advice, a number of restrictions that were previously in place will be relaxed.

From Monday 28 February:

• Cohorting requirements and activity restrictions will be relaxed – enabling students to engage and interact more freely across classes and year groups.
• Schools will be able to welcome more visitors onto school grounds, including parents, and will resume activities such as assemblies and school camps.
• Mask requirements will be lifted for high school students and staff.

From Monday, 7 March:

• Mask requirements will be lifted for primary school and early education staff. Staff in Schools for Specific Purposes will continue to be required to wear masks based on health advice.

Member for Oatley, Mark Coure said, that he was excited about the new lifting of restrictions, as it provided the first sense of normality for school children since the Pandemic began over two years ago.

“It certainly is a sensible approach. The idea is to give staff, students and parents more freedoms to enjoy, whilst keeping the wider community safe at the same time,” Mr Coure said.

“It has been such a difficult time for students within our local schools. There will be bumps and hiccups, but, I believe that this is the right time to allow our students to get back to learning without any unnecessary restrictions,” Mr Coure said.

Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell said, this was the first time since the pandemic started two years ago that students have enjoyed this level of normality.

“We know transmission in schools is extremely low, and not a single school has closed since school returned despite the levels of community transmission,” Minister Mitchell said.

COVID Smart settings will continue to be reviewed and updated, as necessary on health advice.