Queensland is letting their students back into school but there will be some changes in the dress code. The rules generally will be around wearing a mandatory face mask differ between students, parents and teachers across parts of Queensland. After some spent part of their school holidays in lockdown, Queensland students return to the classroom but restrictions remain in place. School communities in south-east Queensland, Townsville, Magnetic Island and Palm Island have been reminded to follow COVID-19 mask protocols until this. So what are the rules inside and outside classrooms or the school gate?
Who has to wear a mask?
Adults are required to wear a face mask if they cannot socially distance from each other on school grounds.
This includes:
- Teachers
- Family members
- Volunteers
Queensland students do not need to wear a mask at school or when travelling on school transport. However, children over the age of 12 must wear a mask on public transport unless they have an exemption. Teachers and other school staff are not required to wear masks when working with children.
Education Minister Grace said term three was essentially “business as usual” for schools. “I think parents can be very confident that this decision has been taken and it will not put anybody at risk,” Ms. Grace said. Queensland Health has warned $206 on the spot fines can apply to anyone who fails to wear a mask without an exemption.
Do students need to check in?
Students are not required to use Queensland’s check-in app when entering school grounds. However, schools may choose to use the app for school functions and events to collect contact information from attendees.
The Education Department said there was no need for schools to obtain parents’ and carers’ details if the information is already on record and can be provided to Queensland Health if required for contact tracing.
What about school drop-off?
Parents and carers’ have been told to avoid congregating around school grounds during pick-up and drop-off times. P&Cs Queensland chief executive Scott Wiseman urged parents to have their masks handy.
Scott Wiseman quoted “Obviously there’s a lot of congestion around school drop off and pick up times, so it’s about trying to manage that effectively, Try to avoid those large groups or gatherings, especially around the gate, because it just creates a bottleneck and forces everybody to wear masks because you can’t social distance. Let’s lead by example for the children.”
Mask requirements are set to lift for affected regions on Friday July 16.
