Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for schools

The Victorian Government has announced its roadmap for reopening Victoria. This includes a staged return to on-site learning in Term 4.

For information about the roadmap to reopening the state, visit: Coronavirus (COVID-19) roadmap to reopening

Operating guidelines

• School operations guide

  Advice for schools to support remote and flexible learning as well as on-site provision in certain circumstances

• Term 4 arrangements
  

  Victoria's reopening roadmap outlines changes for Victorian students as on-site, face-to-face schooling resumes

• School camps during coronavirus (COVID-19)
  

  Guidance for providers and school groups on school camps during coronavirus (COVID-19)
  

• Learning from home
  

  Tools to support teachers to access technology and deliver remote and flexible learning guidelines
  

• Maintenance, construction and building upgrades
  

  School construction and maintenance projects in metropolitan Melbourne are affected by Stage 4 restrictions.
  

Health and safety measures

This guidance applies where schools have any onsite learning occurring.

• Face coverings in schools
  

  Everyone over the age of 12 must wear a face covering when they leave their home for one of four permitted reasons
  

• Cleaning supplies and services
  

  Additional cleaning is being implemented at all schools. The extended and increased cleaning involves progressive cleaning throughout the day, with a focus on high-touch surfaces
  

• School buses services
  

  In rural and regional Victoria, the School Bus Program will continue to operate as normal

• Outside school hours care

  OSHC programs may continue to operate with risk mitigation measures in place
  

• School boarding premises

  Advice for school boarding premises on managing the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission in their facilities
  

• Pre-service teacher placements

  Supervised PST placements should go ahead as planned, within the operating guidelines circulated to schools

• COVID-19 Safety Management Plan (COVID Safe Plan)

  Manage safety risks in schools in accordance with the minimum requirements for COVID Safe Plans, in conjunction with the School Operations Guide, endorsed by the Victorian Chief Health Officer
  

• Communicate with your school community

  Template letters and translations in community languages for school leaders to send to parents and guardians

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) phone line

  Ask questions regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and education settings by calling 1800 338 663, 8 am to 6pm, 7 days a week (excluding public holidays). If you need an interpreter, call 131 450 first
  

Health advice for schools

Schools should consider a variety of strategies to support physical distancing and good hygiene practices to reduce the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission within the practical limitations of a school environment. The following actions are to be considered, adapted and implemented as necessary according to the education setting and the individual needs of the staff, students and the wider school community.

• Health and hygiene advice for all Victorian schools

  Schools should consider a variety of strategies to support physical distancing and good hygiene practices

• Mental health, wellbeing and support

  Support for staff and students with the impact coronavirus (COVID-19) has on mental health and wellbeing

• Health information

  In-line with advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, schools should consider a variety of strategies to support physical distancing and good hygiene practices

• Working from home

  Guidance to all ongoing and fixed-term teaching service employees who are working from home

Student learning

• Learning from home
  

  Advice for parents, students, schools, early childhood education and care about flexible learning
  

• Changes to student learning

  Updates to NAPLAN, VCE and VET as well as subject-specific advice for classroom management of 'hands-on learning spaces'
  

• Structured workplace learning and work experience

  Advice is available for schools to support students undertaking SWL or work experience in either metropolitan Melbourne or rural and regional Victoria
  

• Training and work placements
  

  Permitted industries or workplaces can continue to operate within reduced capacity through the Stage 4 restrictions and Stage 3 restrictions