Keeping COVID safe in Term 3

Queensland school communities are urged to stay COVID safe with Term 3 starting on Monday, July 12.

Education Minister Grace Grace and Health Minister Yvette D’Ath today reminded Queensland teachers, students and parents to adhere to the COVID practices in place.

Ms Grace said Queensland state school communities are no strangers to listening to the health advice.

“Our schools have done a stellar job in keeping COVID safe throughout the pandemic,” she said.

“It is imperative that until 6pm on July 16, state schools in South East Queensland*, Townsville, Magnetic Island and Palm Island follow the below health advice:

• Adults, including volunteers and family members, are required to wear a face mask if they cannot socially distance from each other at school (e.g a gathering of adults in a staff room if they can’t socially distance in the room).

No Queensland students are required to wear a face mask at school or when travelling on school transport.

School staff are not required to wear masks when working with children.

The Minister said parents and care givers everywhere needed to follow the health advice to continue keeping our communities safe.

“Parents/carers across the state are discouraged from congregating in or around the school, in the car park, at drop off and pick up, outside classrooms or at the school gate.”

Ms D’Ath thanked school communities for following the rules.

“We’re not out of the woods yet and I encourage Queenslanders to continue to do the right so we can all stay safe,” she said.

“Everyone needs to remember to social distance, stay home if sick, and get tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild.

“Parents and teachers should continue to practice good hygiene and wash their hands often and encourage children to do so.

“We congratulate our Queensland school communities for listening to the health advice and keeping COVID out of our schools.”

For further information, visit the Department of Education website:

FAQs for parents https://qed.qld.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media/novel-coronavirus/frequently-asked-questions-for-parents

FAQs Early Childhood https://earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/news/covid-19-information/frequently-asked-questions

 *South East Queensland impacted areas: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/restrictions-impacted-areas

ENDS

Media contact: Courtney Hoogen – 0439 341 314