Criticism of schools RAT plan; Why wait for symptoms, asks MP

Helen Kempton | Mercury | 7 February 2022  

HERE are claims Tasmania’s Education Department is out of step with its interstate counterparts which require students and teachers to test negative to Covid-19 b- efore they return to school, after a holiday period dominated by the spread of Omicron.

The state’s public schools return on Wednesday and Nelson independent MLC Meg Webb wants to know why other states have implemented more rigorous measures.

Ms Webb wants the state government to release its Public Health RAT advice before school goes back.

The government pointed to its Covid Safety in Schools plan it released last month which is available on its w- ebsite.

Under that plan, parents will receive a back-to-school Covid care package, with d- etailed information and two rapid antigen tests per child to have for use if their child b- ecomes symptomatic and r- equires a test.

Acting Public Health director Scott McKeown said the plan was developed with Public Health Services.

“Public health advice was provided regarding key elements in the plan, including Covid-safe measures, student and staff RAT use and the management of cases, contacts and outbreaks in schools,” Dr McKeown said. “Public Health Services continues to work closely with the Department of Education on the implementation of the plan in Tasmanian schools and Early Childhood Education and Care settings.” Ms Webb said that still did not explain why our testing rules were different.

“Are we not expecting a big outbreak once school goes back or is it because we don’t have enough RAT tests to do more rigorous testing?” she said.

“There needs to be more transparency and information to be released publicly so we can understand the decisions being made.” NSW has strongly recommended students return a negative rapid antigen test -before returning to school for term 1.

Other interstate jurisdictions NSW, Victoria and the ACT also strongly recommend students continue to take a RAT twice a week in the morning before attending school for at least the next four weeks.

“In contrast, Tasmania is providing each student with two RATs a week, but is recommending these are only used should symptoms  develop,” Ms Webb said.

“Surely it makes more sense to catch potential student and teaching staff Covid cases -before they enter the classroom, rather than wait for symptoms to arise?

“South Australia has reported that at least 300 school staff were absent on their first school day this term due to Covid, so it stands to reason our school communities may experience a similar situation.”

See Meg’s Media Release.

See more of Meg’s recent media.