Victoria has confirmed a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all school and early childhood staff under a new Chief Health Officer directive.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education James Merlino made the significant announced on Wednesday, proclaiming all staff including teachers, support staff, and cleaners would need to have received their first jab by October 18 and be double vaccinated by November 29.
"This protects staff, it protects students and protects children and families," the deputy premier said.
"So, we have to protect our kids, both from contracting the virus and also transmitting the virus when they go home to their families. The best way to do that is to ensure that people who work with our children in early childhood and care settings, in schools, that they are all required to be vaccinated"
The National Briefing
Outlining the direction as a pathway out of the pandemic, Mr Merlino said that vaccination will be a requirement of work for all staff at all schools, government, Catholic and independent, and all early childhood care settings.
Rapid antigen testing could be a feature of schooling in term 4, pending the results from a feasibility trial and approval by the TGA.
Further contingencies against COVID in schools will be delivered through $60m in shade clothe grants to help schools create more outdoor learning spaces.
Merlino also revealed an Australian first in a $190m package to boost ventilation and airflow. "This time it’s all about airflow!" Mr Merlino said. The deal with Samsung will deliver 50,000 air purification devices to every single government school and all low fee Catholic and Independent schools in Victoria over the coming weeks in a bid to remove potentially infectious participles from higher-risk areas including staff rooms, sick bays, music rooms and more. Masks will also be mandatory for secondary school students and all adults, with younger children encouraged to comply. Get the latest breaking news from SCA newsrooms around Australia. Short, simple and everything you need to know. 