Wednesday, 23 February 2022

Ministers statements: COVID-19

Ms STITT (Western Metropolitan—Minister for Workplace Safety, Minister for Early Childhood) (12:09): I rise to update the chamber on the measures our government is taking to ensure early childhood services are as safe as possible for children, staff and families. But before I do that I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for the hard work and dedication of all our teachers, educators and service providers. They have remained at the forefront throughout this pandemic, ensuring that our youngest learners continue to receive the benefits of high-quality early education. Staff in early childhood settings are working with the last unvaccinated cohort, so we are very mindful of implementing all COVID-safe measures possible to give everyone the piece of mind they deserve.

Last week I was pleased to announce a further $3.8 million in ventilation grants on top of the $7.5 million I announced last year. These grants are available to community-based providers, both standalone kinders and long day care centres, to improve ventilation. Services can use their grants to purchase air purifiers and shade sails and to upgrade buildings and increase airflow. This second round of grants will open in coming weeks to ensure improvements can be made ahead of the winter months and will be accompanied by guidance from the Victorian School Building Authority.

I am also pleased that surveillance rapid testing will continue until the end of term 1 for staff and children aged between three and five years who attend early childhood services. This twice-weekly voluntary testing is incredibly important and has been critical to identifying cases early and minimising the risk of transmission, and stakeholders have all welcomed this extension of the scheme and reported the confidence it has given staff and families. We know what a difference vaccination makes, which is why we have also mandated a third dose for the workforce unless a medical exemption applies. And we encourage parents of five-year-olds to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible. These continued COVID-safe measures are all about protecting our youngest children and those who educate and care for them in Victoria.