Tamworth schools to deal with QR codes, visitor restrictions and mask recommendations

Many parents have been left wondering what this means for their child, while staff have also been seeking clarification as to what will be required.

The main change that will come into place from July 12 - not just in schools but in all workplaces and retailers - is that QR codes will be mandatory to complete.

In the case of schools, it is staff and parents and carers who will be required to sign in if they enter the premises, however students will not need to do so.

One of the main sources of confusion has been whether masks are required or not, with NSW Health recommending them for pupils from Year 7 and up.

However, the Leader has spoken to representatives from local schools and the Department of Education in Tamworth, who said the rule is not enforceable.

While school is largely an indoor setting, it is officially exempt from the mask rule and while students or staff are free to wear one if they choose, it will probably not be a widespread practice.

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Visitors will be restricted, with only allied health partners and non-school staff that are unable to deliver critical services remotely, or maintenance providers carrying out urgent work advised to be allowed on-site during school hours.

Schools will still be abiding by social distancing measures, while the likes of dance classes, choir and band will be permitted with modifications that bring them in line with public health orders.

Children in the Greater Sydney region will be required to learn from home for the first week back, but NSW Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell is confident it will only be for one week.

She did note however, that if the advice was to change, all schools would be ready to switch to the learn-from-home style.

"All students across NSW will return to face to face learning from Monday 19 July," she said.

"All schools recently completed a readiness assessment to prepare for any potential return to learning from home."

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