26 NovNew COVID-19 update from Vic DET
The Victorian Department of Education and Training published an updated COVID-19 update on 25 November. Key items in the update included:
Visitors to services
- All visitors, including parent helpers and service coaches and mentors are now permitted to attend on site, subject to physical distancing between adults.
- Incursions may also occur, subject to physical distancing between adults.
Singing and music
- Singing and use of wind instruments entails risk of potential spread of aerosols and droplets. Organised music activities that involve singing or wind instruments (i.e. recorder or instruments you blow into) should occur outdoors, or with no more than five individuals at a time, per space, indoors.
ECEC service event on site
- On-site events such as annual general meetings (AGMs) and end-of-year celebrations are now permitted, subject to public gathering limits for ceremonies (total venue cap, including children over 12 months, staff and visitors, of 150 indoors or 300 outdoors). A density quotient of one person per four square metres applies also for staff and visitors/parents.
- For smaller sites, the four square metre rule may limit how many people who can enter to less than the maximum number allowed. You must apply the smaller limit to the number of people at your service’s venue.
- Enrolled children who may be engaged in a performance, ceremony or learning do not need to be counted in the density quotient.
Orientation and transition
- Service tours, orientation and transition programs are permitted, aligned with public gathering limits for community facilities (a maximum of 20 people indoors and 50 people outdoors) and a density quotient of one person per four square metre rule must be applied inclusive of ECEC staff (but not enrolled children), and visitors/members of the public.
- For smaller sites, the four square metre rule may limit how many people who can enter to less than the maximum number allowed. You must apply the smaller limit to the number of people at your venue.
Service operating hours
- Where services were operating staggered starts, they can now resume regular arrival and departure arrangements. However, families are required to maintain 1.5 metres between each other as far as is practicable at the start and end of the program.
Face masks
- Face masks must be worn indoors, when educators are not directly educating and caring for children, and in staff common areas.
- Parents and carers must wear masks when indoors, and outdoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Masks must be worn during drop off and pick up.
ELAA will update its COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions webpage shortly to reflect the above information.
CLICK HERE to read the Vic DET update in full.
