Deliveries of free rapid antigen tests for families with children in schools and early childhood settings will continue through this week, before the start of term 2.
The State Government will deliver 16 million RATs to continue allowing families to undertake voluntary surveillance testing.
Education minister and Monbulk MP James Merlino said surveillance testing has prevented tens of thousands of kids from getting sick and having their schools shut.
“We thank the many Victorian families who have opted into voluntary testing,” he said.
“We’ll keep supporting Victorian families with the cost of living, with free rapid test kits available through schools and early childhood settings for the start of Term 2.”
Testing recommendations remain the same for term 2 of school: All primary and secondary school students and staff, and early childhood education students and staff are encouraged to test at home twice a week.
Those at special schools are encouraged to test five days each week due to the higher risk for medically vulnerable children.
Modelling from the Department of Health estimates voluntary surveillance testing — assuming a 50 per cent compliance rate with screening of students — has prevented 113,500 Covid infections throughout term 1, 2022.
The State Government plans to deliver another 60,000 air purifiers to schools, with 50,000 already delivered.
Children aged 5 to 11 are strongly encouraged to get their first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccination, and staff and students aged 16 to 17 are encouraged to get their third dose.
