Tara Murray
Taylors Lakes and Stevensville primary schools are among the first schools to receive free, at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests as part of a statewide roll out.
The state government announced on Monday that 20 schools currently affected by Coronavirous outbreaks would receive the tests this week, before the program is rolled out statewide next week.
Six schools including Taylors Lakes Primary School and the St Albans-based Stevensville Primary school received the tests on Monday.
Another 14 schools which have experienced outbreaks and have a significant amount of their kids in isolation will also receive the tests this week.
At-home rapid antigen tests will be offered to unvaccinated students – primarily those aged under 12 – who are primary close contacts as a result of a positive case at school.
The program will allow students to return to school after seven days of quarantine, rather than 14 days, provided they take a negative PCR test on day six, and then complete negative rapid antigen tests at home each day and return a negative result before school on days eight to 14 of their quarantine period.
The program will run alongside medical trials of rapid antigen testing in school communities, administered by nurses
Education Minister James Merlino said this would make it easier for children who are currently isolating.
“For kids and their families who are excited to get back to school, having to quarantine can be really frustrating – these rapid antigen tests will cut that time and get kids back in the classroom sooner.”
“This is another way we’re making learning as COVIDSafe as possible while keeping schools open.”
