On the 20 April 2022 the NSW Government announced changes to the Covid requirements for close contacts, removing isolation rules. On 21 April the PSA met with senior Department of Education representatives from the Covid Taskforce, Work Health and Safety, Professional Education Standards and Industrial Relations to discuss how this will impact staff in NSW Public Schools.

Self-Isolation for Close and Household Contacts – what the changes are

• At 6pm on Friday 22 April 2022 close contacts of confirmed cases will no longer be required by Public Health Order to self-isolate
• There is no change to isolation rules for those that are symptomatic or return a positive RAT/PCR result
• There is a list of requirements that close contacts who are not symptomatic must abide by which are:
  • Do not visit aged care, hospitals, disability, and correctional facilities unless a special exemption applies;
  • Wear a face mask in indoor settings outside the home;
  • Undertake daily RAT tests before coming into close contact with people outside their household, where practicable;
  • Avoid contact with elderly and immunocompromised persons where possible;
  • Work from home where practical;
  • Notify their employer/educational facility that they are a close contact, and that they are not required to isolate as long as they comply with the above.

Additional Department of Education Requirements

• Education will be aligning their settings with public health advice from NSW Health
• Due to the increased risk anyone working in a School for Specific Purposes, a support unit, assisted travel or overnight camps must not attend work and should seek advice from their supervisor or principal about next steps
• Staff and family must notify the school if they are a close contact and intend to attend school/work
• Close contacts must complete daily rapid antigen tests and wear a mask if attending school/work
• Close contacts who are primary school students are also recommended to wear a mask and undertake daily rapid antigen tests

Resources and Planning – what your school should do

• Schools should undertake a review of students and staff to ensure they are aware of any serious illnesses in mainstream settings, there should be an individual covid action plan implemented (or it should be updated in line with the new health advice) where there are existing medical conditions identified
• An additional 500 000 rapid antigen tests will be distributed to schools
• There will be detailed information provided to schools/principals including a ‘decision tree’ that will assist principals and staff to determine if a close contact should return to the workplace. This will include various scenarios that should be considered
• Work health and safety will continue to monitor case data and additional safety measures can be reintroduced if necessary

PSA Advice – things for members to consider

• All Professional Education Standards (PES) investigations relating to vaccination will be paused. PES is undergoing a process of consultation and risk assessment to identify next steps and will communicate directly with affected staff
• Staff who are close contacts are being “supported” to return to school/work rather than “directed”
• If you are able to work from home, then this should be considered prior to returning
• Members are advised to be open and honest with your Principal about your personal circumstances as these will have an impact on whether you are able to return to the workplace or not. This could include, for example, if you are caring for someone with covid in your home, have children that require care or are a regular carer for an aged or immunocompromised relative

The PSA has also been briefed on the draft winter plan for schools and will update members once we have the final details.

If you have any questions about how this will work, in the first instance please speak to your Principal or Supervisor.

If your queries are not dealt with in a timely manner or you require union assistance, please contact your PSA organiser or PSA Member Support on 1300 772 679.

New staff, new members – join up your colleagues today

If you know someone who is not a member, or have any new starters at your school, now is the time to invite them to be part of the PSA by JOINING

You can support the work of the union and your delegates just by joining or encouraging others to join.