NSW Government to continue to provide RATs to ECEC for the foreseeable future

Following the successful implementation of rapid antigen testing (RAT) for the first four weeks of the school term, the NSW Government has announced that it will continue to support face-to-face learning in schools and early childhood settings by offering eight RAT kits per student and staff member to use when families consider necessary so they have peace of mind.

 

The packs will be distributed to parents and staff of schools and early childhood services in two drops, with the first round of packs already arriving in schools. Early childhood staff will also receive the additional RAT kits to be used when necessary, however it is unclear at this stage when these will be available. 

 

In a media release, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet thanked parents, teachers, school administrators and Principals across NSW for their commitment to return children to classrooms on day one of term one.

 

“It was vital we got our students back in the classroom after two years of disruption to their education, social lives and well-being, and RATs have played an important part in enabling their safe return,” Mr Perrottet said.

 

“The packs are there for families and staff to use at their discretion for their own peace of mind, for example, when a student is feeling unwell with a sore throat or cough, or if family members are sick.”

 

His comments were backed up by Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell, who said that over 90 per cent of parents have been using the RAT kits they have been provided with.

 

“We know our measures work; transmission in schools is extremely low, and there have been no school closures since students returned this year, despite the levels of community transmission,” she said. 

 

“Testing children twice a week was not an easy task and I’d like to thank all of the parents and carers for their efforts in these critical first few weeks of term. Additional RAT packs will allow parents to stay vigilant and help us all continue to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on schools.”

 

For more information please see here.