Managing illness in schools and ECEC - information for parents and carers

One of the most important things we can do to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community is to stay at home when we are unwell, even when we have the mildest of symptoms.

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What you need to know

1. If a child is unwell, even with the mildest of symptoms, they are strongly recommended to stay at home

If a child becomes unwell during the day, they should be collected from early childhood education and care (ECEC)/school as soon as possible.

2. If your child has any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) below, however mild, they should get tested for COVID-19:

• fever
• chills or sweats
• cough
• sore throat
• shortness of breath
• runny nose
• loss of sense of smell or taste.

Some people may also have headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. For more health advice:

• call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398
• call your child’s general practitioner (GP)
• call Nurse on Call 1300 606 024

3. Your child can be tested with a rapid antigen test at home, or a PCR test. They are strongly recommended to stay at home until they receive a negative result and their symptoms have resolved.

If you can’t get a rapid antigen test or if you’re still worried about your child, you can find and go to a testing site for a PCR test. Some testing sites have rapid antigen tests as well.

Find advice about getting tested, as well as parent and carer information about rapid antigen testing.

4. If your child has a negative COVID-19 test and their symptoms have resolved, they can return to ECEC or school.

You don’t need written medical clearance from COVID-19.

There are illnesses other than COVID-19 where your child must stay at home for a certain amount of time – these are listed on the Department of Health ECEC and school exclusion table.

5. If your child has a positive COVID-19 test, they are strongly recommended to stay at home:

Follow the checklist for people with COVID-19.

If a rapid antigen test at home is positive, you are recommended to report the result as soon as you can so your family can start getting advice and help:

• Tell the Department of Health by online form or COVID-19 Hotline 1800 675 398.
• Tell your ECEC or school (including other children at home who are household contacts).

Answer texts and surveys from the Department of Health.

You may be able to get financial help or other support to look after your family safely at home.

6. If your child tests negative to COVID-19 but lives in a household with a positive COVID-19 case, follow the advice for COVID contacts for your child.

Follow the advice for COVID contacts

It is recommended your child is tested for at least 7 days following your last contact with the person who has COVID-19 using a rapid antigen test or a PCR test.

It is recommended your child remain home if they are unwell or have symptoms.

Further information

• All families can plan and prepare ahead for COVID-19 isolation at home.
• You can find information about COVID-19 in different languages.
• If your child has been required to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 while studying VCE Unit 3-4 sequences, please see COVIDSafe provisions for VCE student assessments in 2022

This advice has been prepared by the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Health.