ACT schools will reopen for face-to-face learning as planned with new students on 31 January, returning students on 1 February, and two free rapid antigen tests (RAT) per week for at least four weeks, it was announced today.

All teachers, school-based staff and students will be provided two free RATs per week for screening purposes for the first four weeks of Term 1.

Tests will be available from schools before the end of week one of term, with further information about collection of tests to be provided to school communities in the coming days.

The ACT Government Education website advises RATs “will be strongly recommended for students and staff, and early childhood education and care staff, twice-weekly at home before school or childcare. This will help us ensure we are testing of anyone symptomatic and to help identify cases as early as possible. However, testing will be voluntary.”

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) advice that schools are an essential service that should remain open when possible has guided the decision for ACT schools to reopen as planned.

“We also know that there are significant benefits from face-to-face learning for our children and young people,” Chief Minister Andrew Barr said. “In addition, children and young people are far less likely to develop severe illness or complications from COVID-19.”

ACT teachers, education staff and early childhood education and care workers have all been prioritised in receiving their booster shots, too.

Education Minister Yvette Berry said schools are prepared with the appropriate tools and guidance to manage COVID with as little disruption as possible.

“A lot of work has been undertaken over an extended period of time since last year to prepare and refine plans for the return of children to school,” she said.

Schools will be contacting their school communities directly with more information about how the health guidelines will be applied in each school setting.

Almost half of ACT children aged five-to-11 have been vaccinated since the program began 10 days ago.

Current bookings indicate that by the time Term 1 begins, almost 90% of ACT children aged five-to-11 will have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Mr Barr acknowledged COVID-19 cases will be detected in Canberra schools, and that this will make parents anxious, especially if their child is at higher risk.

“We are supporting the overall health and wellbeing of children by maximising the opportunity for face-to-face learning, as well as ensuring our schools are prepared with the appropriate tools and guidance to manage COVID with as little disruption as possible,” he said.

Click here for more information about the how the reopening of ACT schools will be managed.

States using RATs in back-to-school approach

NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, yesterday announced RATs would be distributed to allow for students and teachers to take two tests a week when they return to the classroom from next week.

The scheme will run for four weeks, covering the NSW’s 3,000 primary and secondary schools. Early education and childcare centres will also be included.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews too announced a similar strategy, saying 6.6 million RATs will be delivered to schools and early childhood centres across the state before primary and secondary students resume classes on 31 January.

In all, 14 million will be distributed during the state’s surveillance testing regime, which will be reviewed after four weeks.

RATs will also feature in Tasmania’s return to school, but will be distributed more sparingly.

Tasmanian students will receive a back-to-school pack containing two RATs as part of the plan for returning to the classroom on 9 February.

Tasmanian students are instructed to only be tested if symptomatic, with further RATS to be provided to schools to distribute as required.

Queensland will release a COVID-safe plan for a return of children to school this week, after it goes through cabinet today.

Authorities delayed the start of the school year from 24 January to 7 February in a bid to make a “longer, flatter” peak, Dr Gerrard said.

South Australia will start the schooling year by staggering their return to face-to-face learning.

Schools will open on schedule on 31 January for children of essential workers and for students considered vulnerable.

Students in reception, years 1, 7, 8 and 12 will then return on 2 February with other years resuming face-to-face learning from 14 February.

Students facing the longer delay will learn online for the first two weeks of term one.

With AAP

Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.