The roll out of at-home rapid antigen tests to Victorian school students has begun, aiming to make schools safer for students and staff, and reduce the disruption caused by COVID-19 outbreaks.
The announcement from Minister for Education, James Merlino, follows the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s approval of rapid antigen testing for home use.
Mr Merlino said the first lot of tests went to about 20 schools affected by outbreaks this week (ending 14 November) and broader distribution to all schools, Government, independent and Catholic, was set to begin on Monday (15 November).
“At-home rapid antigen tests will be offered to unvaccinated students – primarily those aged under 12 – who are primary close contacts as a result of a positive case at school,” he said.
“The program will allow them to return to school after seven days of quarantine, rather than 14 days, provided they take a negative PCR test on day six, and then complete negative rapid antigen tests at home each day and return a negative result before school on days eight to 14 of their quarantine period.
“This will mean young students who can’t yet be vaccinated can return to school a week earlier than usual – bringing them in line with fully vaccinated members of the community and giving kids the time they need in class, while protecting school communities from the spread of coronavirus.”
Mr Merlino said the tests, which were to be provided free of charge, could indicate a result for COVID-19 within 15-30 minutes.
The Minister said the at-home testing program would run on an opt-in basis and fully vaccinated children, who were already only required to quarantine for only seven days, would not participate.
“The program will run alongside medical trials of rapid antigen testing in school communities, administered by nurses that are being conducted by the Doherty Institute to assess the feasibility of at-home test use,” he said.
“Government will use information from both projects to strengthen the use of at-home rapid antigen testing in school communities throughout Term Four, while continuing work to make schools as low-risk as possible,” Mr Merlino said.
