MOST central Victorian students will not be required to have daily temperature checks when they return to school next week.
The Victorian government on Thursday announced students in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire would receive a temperature check each morning.
If a student had a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or above, schools would be required to contact parents or carers to arrange for the student to return home.
Families would then be encouraged to seek testing for COVID-19 or the advice of their healthcare professional.
A government spokesperson confirmed the changes would not apply to students in regional Victoria who were not under stage three restrictions.
But the spokesperson said students who lived in the Mitchell Shire or metropolitan Melbourne but attended school in an unrestricted region would be required to have their temperature checked.
"Daily temperature checks will help make sure unwell students stay at home and do not risk spreading coronavirus," Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said.
"I understand that this is a stressful time for parents, but we are following the best medical advice and taking every possible precaution to ensure the safety of all Victorians."
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Tuesday that prep to year 10 students in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire would have an additional week of winter school holidays.
Mr Andrews indicated those students could return to remote learning in term three, while year 11 and 12 students would be back in face-to-face classes from Monday.
All students in other parts of the state - including Greater Bendigo, the Mount Alexander Shire, and Loddon Shire - will return to class as expected next week.
Students who live in locked down local government areas but attend school outside of those regions can attend school from Monday.
Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
