Children in Queensland won't need to be regularly tested for COVID-19 when they return to school next Monday.
That's one of the main points of the government'sback-to-school plan, which covers the first four weeks of the new school year,from February 7 to March 4.
The plan includes new protocols for wearing masks, and what to do if your child becomes ill. Here's what you need to know.
Does my child need to wear a mask?
If they're in high school, yes they do.Masksare also "strongly encouraged" for children in years 3 to six.
Teachers can remove their masks to teach, and children won't need to wear onewhen they're seated.
Masks will be available at schoolfor children who don't have their own.
Do I need to give my child a rapid antigen test?
Not unless they're showing symptoms. Unlike New South Wales and Victoria, there'll be no requirement for parents to regularly test their children.
Regular testing for school children isn't among the advice issued by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) to state and federal governments, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
"There is no health advice by the Chief Health Officer or by AHPPC that staff or students need regular testing," she said.
"On top of that, many parents have raised with me concerns about how they would administer these tests to their children. So, I think we've reached a good middle point."
That middle point is that rapid antigen tests will be made available to parents if their children show symptoms.
If parents aren't comfortable administering the test, they can take their childto a state testing clinic, where they'll receive priority treatment so they don't have to queue.
If children are athome and they need a rapid antigen test, Ms Palaszczuk saidone will be provided.
"For example, you might have friend down the roadand they are able to get the test from the school and drop it into your letterbox," she said.
The government estimates that about 750,000 tests will be needed over the first four weeks of school, and it's confidentthere will be enough supplies.
What if my child becomes sick at school?
If your child starts showing COVID-19 symptoms at school, they'll be isolated until a parent or guardian arrives to collectthem.
Their parents or carer willbe given a rapid antigen test to administer at home — or they will be able to take their childto a testing clinic.
If the test isnegative, the studentcan return to school. A positive test will require them to isolate forseven daysand follow other guidance from Queensland Health.
If your children shows symptoms outside school, the message is simple.
"If you are sick, stay at home. Don't go to school," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"Any positive casesshould be reported to the school andQueensland Health."
Children who are close contacts of positive cases will also need to isolate, in line with the current guidelines.
Independent Education Union Queensland Branch president Terry Burke welcomedthe government's plan but saidthere needed to be explicit procedures in place about what to do in the event of a positive COVID-19 case.
"It is critical there are explicit procedures for the notification of a COVID-19 positive contact, how parents will be notified, and, how the impact of such a diagnosis of staff or student/swill be managed," he said.
"Staff should not be placed in the situation of conducting tests with students."
Will schools close if there's an outbreak?
Education Minister Grace Grace saidclosing schools will be a "last resort".
She addedthat there's no one-size-fits-all policy andany action taken will be in response to the size of the outbreakand its potential impact.
The government saidall schools have access to carbon dioxide monitors to measure ventilation, and ifventilation issues can't be solved by opening windows or with air conditioning,air purifiers will be provided.
Will access to schools be restricted?
Yes, schools will aim to limit the number of outsiders allowed within school grounds, though there will be some exceptions for vulnerable and very young children.
For example, parents andcarers will be allowed to take their children into kindergartens andfacilities offering early-childhood development programs.
And parents with children in prep and year one will be allowedonto school grounds.
"From year two upwards, we are asking parents please acknowledge what the school puts in place about drop-off zones and limit your presence on school sites for the first four weeks," Ms Grace said.
For the next four weeks, school camps, excursions, assembliesand other large gatherings will be cancelled or postponed.
What if teachers get sick?
In Queensland, all teachers, staff and volunteers in private and state schools must be fully vaccinated.
Ms Grace saidthe current vaccination rate among teachers is 98 per cent.
The education department has a "very comprehensive staff management plan in place", she added.
For example, she said, 5,000 fully vaccinated relief staff were on call to fill gaps where needed.
Mr Burke says it'simportant teachers had access to remote work, especially for the medically vulnerable, wage security and access to paid pandemic leave, as well as risk assessment for school activities.
What do I need to do in the next week?
There's no directive that children must be vaccinated to attend school.
However, health authorities are urging parents ofchildren aged fiveto 11 to get their first dose before they return to the classroom.
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Health Minister Yvette D'Ath also wants more children aged 12 to 15 to get their second dose. As of Sunday, only 67.21 per cent of children in that age groupwere fully vaccinated.
"If your 12- to 15-year-old is concerned about getting this vaccination, take them to a local pharmacyor to a GP to have that conversation, or go into any one of our vaccination clinics and talk to the staff there," she said.
"They can explain any concerns, any queries that our 12 to 15-year-olds may have as to why theymight hesitate in getting that vaccine."
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