Schools in Brimbank will receive a share of 46.4 million Rapid Antigen Tests to help keep schools open during terms three and four, the state government has announced.
Early childhood services and schools will receive three packs of five RATs to every student and staff member for each term.
Due to the higher risk of severe illness for medically vulnerable children, six packs of five RATs will be allocated to students and staff in specialist schools.
“We have kept our promise to ensure school doors have remained open from the beginning of term 1, and free RAT’s will stay to keep students and staff safe and learning face-to-face continues,” Education Minister Natalie Hutchins said.
“We thank teachers, parents and students for their hard work in keeping each other safe during this time – whether it’s setting up new purifiers, to getting your child vaccinated or staying home if unwell.”
Primary and secondary school students and staff, and early childhood education and care staff and children aged 3-5 are recommended to test at home if they experience COVID-19 symptoms or are a contact of a confirmed case.
The state government said vaccination of children aged 5-1 and booster shots for people over 16 years old remain the best way to protect students and staff.
