In-line with advice announced by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, the Victorian Government has announced that from 11:59 pm on Thursday 8 September 2022, the isolation period for those who test positive to COVID-19 will be reduced to five days following a positive test, provided that the person is asymptomatic on day five.

For symptomatic cases, the isolation period will remain at seven days from the date of the positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) or PCR test.

People who are asymptomatic and leave isolation after five days cannot visit or work at a sensitive setting – such as hospitals, residential aged care, disability care settings or in-home care for the next two days, or if they have COVID-19 symptoms.

This means that staff and students who are asymptomatic and leave isolation after five days can attend school. The school must be notified that the asymptomatic staff member or student has completed their isolation period if they are attending the school.

As an additional risk mitigation, staff and students who leave isolation after five days are recommended to undertake rapid antigen testing in the days following their isolation and test negative before attending the school or other settings of higher risk, and to wear a face mask in indoor settings outside the home – in line with existing recommendations.

There are no changes to the current isolation requirements for close contacts (household contacts), who can continue to leave home each day, provided they continually test negative on a rapid antigen test.

Fire Rescue Victoria visit

The Foundation children recently had members from the Traralgon Fire Rescue brigade visit them to talk about the role of the fire brigade as a part of their unit on People in our Community. The children got to see the trucks up close and how the hoses work. The children were encouraged to discuss with their parents at home where their safe meeting place would be in case of a fire.