Risks hidden as schools reopen

Kingborough Chronicle | 8 February 2022 

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb has called for the release of Public Health Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) advice in relation to the Tasmanian Government’s approach to the reopening of schools before public school students return on Wednesday, February 9.

In a media release on February 6, Ms Webb identified a number of apparent disparities between Tasmania’s RAT regime for students and staff compared to interstate.

Negative test not required in Tasmania

 “A negative test is not required by either Tasmanian students or teachers before they re-enter school gates on Wednesday,” noted Ms Webb.

“Tasmanian parents, students, teachers, and other school support staff deserve to know what advice the state government is relying upon and what degree of acceptable risk has been determined on their behalf.”

Comparing jurisdictions

 “NSW strongly recommended students return a negative RAT test prior returning to school at the resumption of their school Term 1,” Ms Webb continued.

“Additionally, 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.

“Also, regular testing is not occurring through the school week.”

Call to release Public Health advice

 “We know the Omicron COVID variant is more transmissible than the Delta strain,” noted Ms Webb.

“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.”

Ms Webb provided the following excerpts of Education Department advice from various jurisdictions.

• Tasmania’s approach to the first five weeks of Term 1:

“Each student will be provided with an initial supply of two rapid antigen tests (RATs) before school starts, then with two RATs per week for each student to use if they have symptoms.

“All school staff will be provided with two RATs to use if they have symptoms.”

• NSW Education advice:

“Rapid antigen tests will be provided to all students and staff by their schools.

“Before the start of Term 1, it is highly recommended all students undertake a RAT and confirm a negative result before attending school.

“For the first four weeks of Term 1, we recommend students take a RAT twice a week on mornings before attending school.”

• Victorian Education advice:

“For the first four weeks of term, twice-a-week testing on school days will be strongly recommended for mainstream primary and secondary staff and students.

“Testing each school day for five days will be strongly recommended for specialist school students and staff.

“This is to provide a higher level of surveillance for students with disabilities because of the greater risk associated with COVID-19 for some students with disabilities.”

• ACT Education advice:

“While testing is voluntary, it is strongly recommended that students and staff do a test twice-weekly at home before school.

“This will help us ensure we are identifying cases as early as possible, including anyone who is asymptomatic.”

On February 6, the Kingborough Chronicle asked the Premier of Tasmania and Minister for Health why the preventative strategies with respect to COVID testing in other states, as outline by Ms Webb, were not mirrored in Tasmania.

The Kingborough Chronicle also asked the following questions.

“Will the rapid antigen testing advice received from Public Health be released before public school student’s return on Wednesday, February 9?

“Why isn’t Public Health advice made transparent to the public?

Premier Peter Gutwein’s media spokesperson said Public Health “have done dozens of press conferences in recent weeks to explain their advice in regards to schools returning”.

“At these press conference, journalists are able to ask any question regarding their advice.

“It is very transparent.

“The Premier and Public Health are likely to do a press conference tomorrow, where you are more than welcome to join and ask your own questions ahead of schools returning.”

A written copy of the risk assessment, used as the basis of government decision-making, was also requested by the Kingborough Chronicle on February 6.

“To be clear, can the Premier and Minister for Health please provide the written advice received from Public Health,” requested the Kingborough Chronicle.

“Can the Premier and Minister for Health include a copy of the risk assessment used as the basis for decision-making?

“Was a risk assessment undertaken? “By whom?

“Why isn’t this Public Health written advice transparent and available to the public?

These questions remain unanswered and there was no risk assessment provided at the time of going to print.

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