Question 1

What do I need to do if my child, or someone who lives with my child, tests positive to COVID-19?

Web Admin 2 · Accepted Answer

You must notify your service provider. Your childcare provider may also require you to notify them if your child or if you are a close contact. A staff member or child (who is a close contact) can still attend care subject to the following conditions:

they cannot attend if they show symptoms; and
must produce a negative test result prior to attending care (for all of the seven days) – refer to the Public Health website for the latest close contact rules.

Updated 2 May 2022

Question 2

If a child is a close contact, must they undergo testing?

Bryan Cheong · Accepted Answer

Testing for COVID-19 is still important to help reduce the spread of illness.

Refer to this fact sheet – Best Practice Early Childhood (PDF, 76KB) under the heading ‘Workers and children with symptoms‘ for the latest guidance from Public Health on close contact rules in ECEC settings.

Question 3

Do persons that have previously contracted COVID-19 still need to test?

Bryan Cheong · Accepted Answer

In event of an outbreak at an ECEC, Public Health has advised that persons who have contracted COVID-19 within an 8 week period are not required to test.

People who have recovered from COVID-19 usually develop an immunity from catching it again eight weeks after infection.

Please refer to Leaving isolation after having COVID-19 | Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for more information.

Question 4

What to do if your child experiences hay fever symptoms.

Bryan Cheong · Accepted Answer

If your child has hay fever symptoms, please keep them at home and test for COVID-19 using a rapid antigen test (RAT).

If your child tests negative on a RAT and symptoms continue, Public Health advises that you must do a second RAT 24 hours later, or seek a PCR test.

If the second RAT or PCR remains negative, this will be sufficient evidence for your child to return to care if they feel well.

If symptoms change or increase in severity, please see your treating medical practitioner for review.

Question 5

I’ve noticed some of the things that happen at my service are different to what is happening at my friend or family member’s service. Why is that?

Web Admin 2 · Accepted Answer

Public Health advice for schools and the early childhood education and care sector is available here: Schools and early childhood education and care | Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)). Advice provided through he Public Health Hotline may differ between service providers as:

Every education and care service has their own COVID-19 Safety Plan. This plan is tailored to each individual service. It outlines how they intend to keep their children, families, and educators safe.
Public Health may perform a risk assessment and occasionally direct a service to manage children/students as close contacts in specific situations.

Question 6

My child is isolating/in quarantine. Do I still need to pay fees to keep the spot open for my child?

Web Admin 2 · Accepted Answer

It depends. Every service provider has different rules. You’ll need to speak to yours to find out the details.

The Australian Government allows 42 absences a year plus an additional 10 days (available for the 2021-22 financial year period), should these be required.

You can find more information on the Department for Education, Children and Young People, Skills and Employment (DESE) website.

Question 7

I have to stay home to look after my child. What leave or financial support is available to me?

Web Admin 2 · Accepted Answer

This is a matter for you to discuss with your employer. You may find helpful information on the Tasmanian coronavirus website. You may find helpful information on the Services Australia website.

Question 8

My service provider has closed my child’s service due to staffing-related issues. Do I still need to pay to keep my child’s spot?

Web Admin 2 · Accepted Answer

You need to speak to your service provider about the service’s enrolment conditions and payment of fees.

Question 9

I have to take time off work to stay at home with my child who is in isolation. What leave / financial support is available to me?

Web Admin 2 · Accepted Answer

This is a matter for you to discuss with your employer. You may find helpful information on the Tasmanian coronavirus website. You may find helpful information on the Services Australia website.

Question 10

Can unvaccinated ECEC staff members return to work in the ECEC sector under the same circumstances prior to the vaccination mandates in place?

Bryan Cheong · Accepted Answer

The Public Health Direction - Vaccination requirements in relation to Early Childhood Facilities - No. 1 (vaccination mandate) expired on 1 July 2022 as the Emergency Declaration is no longer in effect. Persons will no longer be subject under the Public Health Act 1997 to be vaccinated before they can “enter, or remain” on a site where ECEC services operate. However, ECEC services retain the right to have policies in place requiring their workforce to be vaccinated or impose restrictions on the entry of certain persons on-site for health and safety reasons. Refer to this fact sheet –Best Practice Vaccination (PDF, 61KB) under the heading ‘Should I require COVID-19 vaccination in the workplace?‘ for the latest guidance from Public Health.

Question 11

Do educators in an early childhood education and care setting need to wear masks?

trish.hamilton@education.tas.gov.au · Accepted Answer

Refer to this fact sheet from Public Health on – Best Practice: Facemasks (PDF, 81.65KB) for guidance on the use of facemasks.

Question 12

Where do I go for information about pandemic plans?

Barney Fried · Accepted Answer

Refer to this fact sheet – Best Practice Early Childhood under the heading 'Best practice COVID-19 control measures for early childhood education and care services' for the latest guidance from Public Health on close contact rules in ECEC settings.

Also visit our Information for living with and managing COVID-19 in ECEC settings section of our website for information and links to resources. Services should develop COVID-19 Safety Plans under the minimum standards outlined in the COVID-19 Safe Workplaces Framework .

Question 13

How long will the vaccination mandate be in place for?

Bryan Cheong · Accepted Answer

From 1 July 2022, there will no longer be a public health emergency declaration in response to COVID-19, in Tasmania
COVID-19 will still need to be managed carefully.
Ongoing management of COVID-19 will be through Orders under the Public Health Act (1997).
Refer to this Public Health factsheet for information about ongoing management of COVID-19 in Tasmania and individual and workplace responsibilities.

Question 14

If a child (who is a close contact) attends care must they wear a mask?

Web Admin 2 · Accepted Answer

Yes. if you are a close contact, you are still required to wear a face mask indoors. However, Public Health have advised that children under the age of 12 are exempt from this close contact rule.

Question 15

If a child over 12 years old tested positive before they obtain their full (often second) dose can they still attend care?

Bryan Cheong · Accepted Answer

Yes, the child may still attend care after their isolation period ends.

A temporary exemption from the vaccination requirements to enter ECEC settings under the Public Health Direction of up to four months (starting from release from isolation) can be applied.

Public Health has permitted this temporary exemption to give the child reasonable time for recovery before completing the final dose of the vaccination.

The four month period does not mean the child is unable to obtain their final dose prior to the four month period if they have already recovered.

Question 16

Can a Family Day Care provider keep operating if someone in their home is under quarantine/self-isolation?

Web Admin 2 · Accepted Answer

No. If anyone in the Family Day Care provider’s home is self-isolating or in quarantine, then they must not operate.

Question 17

If my child presents cold and flu symptoms what should I do?

Bryan Cheong · Accepted Answer

COVID-19 shares many symptoms with a common cold flu and hay fever. A full list of symptoms can be found here. No matter how mild, parents/carers should not send their child to care if they see any symptoms. It is important that you:

Do not send your child to care; and
Get your child tested for COVID-19 if they present any symptoms.

Click here for guidance on how to use a RAT test.

Question 18

I have more questions. Who can I speak to?

Web Admin 2 · Accepted Answer

If your question is about:

health advice; or
information about COVID restrictions

please contact the Public Health hotline on 1800 671 738 or seek information on the coronavirus website. If your question is about:

the operation of your child’s education and care service;
service policies; or
changes to enrolment or attendance

please contact your service directly.

COVID-19 FAQs for Parents using Education and Care services

Close contacts