COVID-19

Anyone who has symptoms or tests positive to COVID-19 is encouraged to stay home until symptoms resolve. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should take a RAT or PCR test. If you test positive, report a positive RAT.

Let your school know if your child is unwell and will be absent from school.

For more information, visit HealthyWA COVID-19 close contacts.

For information about caring for your child's health if they are COVID-19 positive, visit the HealthyWA website.

You can also hear more about COVID-19 in children in this video from the Child and Adolescent Health Service.

If your child is COVID-19 positive, they should not attend camp.

If your child is a close contact, you should discuss your child’s participation with your school.

Arrangements for students who become unwell during school camps and tours will be discussed with you.

The School Camps COVID-19 Assistance Program was established in Term 1, 2022. It was set up in response to the State Government mandated COVID-19 restrictions.  The program provided financial support to camp providers who experienced financial loss due to the cancellation of camps.

This program closed on 6 May 2022.

On 9 June 2023, it was announced that School Camps COVID-19 Assistance Program funding recipients will receive a 25% top-up payment. Refer to the Top-up payments for COVID-19 grant recipients WA Government media statement.

We will contact eligible organisations about the top-up payment before the end of June.
 

COVID-19 prevention strategies include:

• provision of rapid antigen tests to students and staff
• enhanced ventilation
• air purifiers supplied where required
• adequate supplies of soap, hand sanitiser and masks.

Ventilation in classrooms helps minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19.

We worked with the Department of Finance and an independent health expert to develop a ventilation strategy for schools based on natural ventilation and existing air-conditioning and heating systems. The strategy follows national and international guidance and is endorsed by the Western Australian Chief Health Officer.

Ventilation assessments were conducted across our school facilities, and guidelines on ventilating rooms inform staff how to prepare each room for optimum ventilation every day.

The ventilation poster explains the different types of ventilation in classrooms.

For the best protection against COVID-19, your child should access all recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine for free. WA Health recommends it for all Western Australians 5 years and older.

Resources from the Telethon Kids Institute and HealthyWA answer common questions about COVID-19, the vaccine and your child.

COVID-19 and influenza are different viruses, so it’s important to get both vaccines – you can even get both at once.

Find out when and where you can get your next dose at Roll up for WA.