NSW schools Covid rules to change – but teachers want masks and rapid tests

Schools could be set for a relaxing of Covid rules with the New South Wales government considering a complete overhaul of the current system – but teachers are lobbying for masks and rapid testing to stay.

Through the opening weeks of the new year there have been no super-spreader events and no schools have been forced to close – with Premier Dominic Perrottet looking to remove a variety of mandates.

Among the changes being considered are allowing parents to return to school grounds, the resumption of full assemblies and year groups being allowed to co-mingle again.

Schools have been operating under staggered drop-offs, with parents barred from entering and classes having to be rescheduled to fit the arrival of different students.

Recess and lunch has also looked vastly different, with year groups not allowed to mingle and full school assemblies being completely stopped.

Officials are reviewing whether those rules need to stay in place, with reports suggesting they are ‘more likely’ to be scrapped in the coming weeks, according to Nine News’ Chris O’Keefe.

Teachers however want mask mandates in classrooms to remain, despite the rule being scrapped statewide for indoor settings.

Currently, all primary and secondary school staff are required to wear surgical masks indoors.

Schools have been operating under staggered drop-offs, with parents barred from entering and classes having to be rescheduled to fit the arrivals of different classes (pictured, a Sydney school)

They are also calling for regular rapid antigen tests to continue to be used by all faculty and students.

Despite calls from staff, who feel the measures have helped keep schools open, Mr Perrottet and Education Minister Sarah Mitchell are still considering dropping mask and RAT legislation.

It comes as strict mask mandates and QR check in requirements are among a swathe of Covid-19 restrictions being eased in NSW over the next week.

Mr Perrottet announced the changes on Thursday, saying sacrifices made by people around the state had made the lifting of some rules possible.

‘I know it has been a very difficult two years here in our state,’ he said.

‘Many people have made enormous sacrifices but the efforts that have been made … ensured we’ve seen downward pressure on our hospital system.’

The direction for employees to work from home will be scrapped from Friday with the matter left to the employer’s discretion.

Teachers however want mask mandates in classrooms to remain, despite the rule being scrapped statewide for indoor settings

Singing and dancing will be allowed at all venues on Friday, except music festivals. Singing and dancing can resume at those events on February 25.

The two metre density limit for indoor venues will also be scrapped on Friday, and QR check-ins will only be required for nightclubs and music festivals with more than 1000 revellers.

Hospitals, aged care facilities and disability facilities can use check in facilities they may already have in place, the premier said.

The requirement to wear face masks in most indoor settings will be dropped the following Friday, February 25.

It comes as strict mask mandates and QR check in requirements are among a swathe of COVID-19 restrictions being eased in NSW over the next week

From that day masks will only be required on public transport, planes, inside airports and aged care and disability facilities, jails and indoor music festivals with more than 1000 revellers.

People will be encouraged to wear masks if they can’t social distance, and in shops.

The cap on music festivals will also be scrapped.

From Monday hotel quarantine for unvaccinated travellers will be reduced from 14 to seven days.