As the days filter into the Winter season, schools are preparing for a period that has become notorious for Covid-19 case spikes amid the latest changes to restrictions in NSW. 

Following the change of rules for household contacts, the Covid smart plan for Term 2 will look slightly different for teachers and students, as announced by the NSW Government. 

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the ‘common sense approach’ to winter school settings was prepared to manage potential increases in cases and other respiratory illnesses in schools. 

“School is where our students learn best and we need to do everything we can to make sure that face to face learning continues with minimal disruption as we move into the colder months,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“The removal of isolation requirements for household contacts will support continuity of teaching and learning in schools,” she said. 



As part of the new rules, teachers and students who are household contacts but do not have Covid-19 or any symptoms can return to school, provided they follow protocol, including informing the school and daily RATs before school for the following five days.

Teachers and secondary staff who are household contacts but tested negative will be required to wear a facemask. 

To assist families follow procedure, both families and staff will receive another drop of free RATs early this term. 

“The Department is taking extra steps to ensure accredited teachers are available to cover sick leave where needed, with non-school based teachers, retired teachers and final year teacher education students continuing to be deployed into classrooms as needed,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“Recruitment of teaching staff into non-school based roles will be paused and work will be taken off schools’ plates so they can focus on core teaching and learning,” she said. 

“Schools will continue keeping windows and doors open wherever it is safe and practical to do so, because we know fresh air is an effective way to keep airborne viruses out.”

Based on expert advice, the NSW Government has made a record investment in equipping schools with additional air quality measures, including providing air purifiers in colder climates, installing mechanical ventilation, checking air conditioners and heaters and providing resources for school principals on recommended ventilation practices. 

Similar to the approach taken in Term 1 this year, schools with Covid-19 outbreaks may cease a number of activities and limit student and visitor interaction, and in the most extreme cases, trigger learning from home settings. 

Across the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD), there have been 285 positive cases recorded in the last 24 hours.