COVID safety
Read the most up-to-date COVID-19 advice for services including COVID safety guidelines, mask wearing and other requirements. Read our latest email update here.
Current COVID-19 advice
The NSW Minister for Health has made the Public Health Repeal Order 2022 which repeals both the Public Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order (No 3) 2022, and the Public Health (COVID-19 General) Order (No 3) 2022 with effect from the beginning of 14 October 2022.
Testing and isolation are no longer mandatory for those exposed to COVID-19 in NSW. Services should consider following NSW Health advice if you have tested positive to COVID-19 or been exposed to someone with COVID-19. NSW Health continues to strongly encourage those with COVID-19 symptoms to stay home until you are well.
The Public Health Order relating to vaccination of education and care workers was not extended beyond 13 May 2022. In line with broader community settings, ECEC services should adopt a risk-based assessment approach for their workforce, meaning that services may choose to implement their own policies around staff vaccination.
NSW Health continues to recommend two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination and a booster shot to reduce the risk of transmission within the community.
NSW Health continues to recommend the wearing of masks indoors when you cannot physically distance, and this will now be a decision for services and educators to determine.
Your staff and visitors in ECEC services should continue to be supported to wear a mask should they choose to do so.
Educators are encouraged to review the NSW Government COVID-19 news and updates for the latest advice.
From 14 October 2022, isolation requirements for close contacts of COVID-19 have been removed. Please see NSW Health advice if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Adults
Masks are no longer mandatory for staff in ECEC services. NSW Health continues to strongly recommend wearing a face mask in indoor public spaces and when you can’t physically distance from others.
This will now be a decision for services and educators to determine.
For more information, refer to guidance on wearing face masks.
Children
In accordance with current NSW Health advice, masks will not be worn by children under 2 years of age and babies.
The risk of transmission of COVID-19 can be reduced through physical distancing amongst staff members, children and visitors to service premises.
Services should consider implementing physical distancing measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
Ensure physical distancing between adults of 1.5m, wherever possible.
Where possible and applicable children should be put down to sleep at least 1.5 metres apart or head to toe to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Avoid any non-essential activities that involve close personal contact.
Encourage appropriate outdoor programs to support distancing while considering sun safe practices.
Where possible, or in circumstances of outbreaks within a service, services should consider implementing additional controls to reduce direct contact with others:
Install barriers to create space at sign-in areas, and seated areas.
Modify shifts and rosters, or pick-up and drop-off times to reduce peak periods.
Have staff collect children from outside the service.
Support remote learning for families keeping their children at home for long periods.
Support for culturally and linguistically diverse communities
If an interpreter is needed, services can contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) National on 131 450. This service is free and confidential.
Stay up to date
We update this page with the latest information so please visit regularly.
- Visit our sector updates page for copies of emails we've sent to all services and providers.
- Text ‘subscribe’ to 0429 918 924 to be alerted of important updates via SMS.
- Ask us a question by:
- calling 1800 619 113
- emailing ececd@det.nsw.edu.au.