Victorian schools may be forced to stagger drop-off and pick-up times and set up several exits around school sites, in a major overhaul that would limit the spread of Covid.
The state government has recommended schools consider new steps to stop parents and students from crowding around drop-off and pick-up areas, ahead of Term 1 next week.
The change could include staggered drop-off and pick-up times and schools setting up several entry and exit points to reduce the risk of the virus spreading, The Herald Sun reported.
Extra signs directing these changes were reportedly another recommendation to reduce the risk.
Victorian health Minister Martin Foley on Tuesday said there would be a rise in cases once school returned, despite cases being on a downward trend in recent days.
“Once school goes back we expect to see an uptick in cases,” he said.
“We just want to make sure the community is aware and prepared and more importantly, as we come to deal with how we coexist with Covid, thxjmtzywat we all understand the different options, should Covid come our way.”
It comes amid massive changes to school regulations in the face of Omicron, with the state also mandating masks on school grounds once students return.
The rule will apply for all students in Year 3 and above in indoor areas.
Parents are also being asked to do rapid antigen tests on their children twice a week during school term, but the measure is voluntary.
Principals will also be expected to notify the school community of Covid cases through a daily email.
This will include details of when the students attended but will also have to detail groups and “cohorts” that may be affected.
Premier Daniel Andrews committed to reopening schools on the first day of Term 1, despite tens of thousands of cases in the state each day, while also ruling out a return to remote learning.
“We’re focused on having our system as we knew it pre-pandemic,” he said.
“It may look different, it will be under a bit of strain because of course teachers are not immune from this virus.
“The main aim here is to have our kids back in the classroom as safe as we can on day one.”
President of the Victorian Principals Association, Andrew Dalgleish, encouraged schools with multiple entry and exit points to use them.
“It’s really about trying to prevent bottlenecks of students and minimising parents on site,” he told 3aw.
“The other alternative is schools have got multiple entry and exit points is to use those as well.
“Schools have been doing this for a couple of years now and it’s something they’ve managed to do quite well.”
