Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman not concerned if schools ignore COVID advice

Emmaus Christian School principal Erik Hofsink said his school decided to align its COVID policies with the updated advice and allow students and staff to take off their masks at school.

"We're glad about that because it's been a hindrance in the education space," he said.

Students and teachers at the school could wear masks if they choose and parents dropping off preschool children were still asked to wear masks to help prevent educators from getting sick.

Dr Kerryn Coleman said schools would need to consider the practical implementation of her advice and make their own decisions.

"I have great confidence that the schools are considering all aspects of how to look after the health and wellbeing which includes the education of the children," Dr Coleman said.

"They are responsible for making that decision. We assist them to make that decision with the health advice, but ultimately, they are in the best position and I have great confidence they will do so."

The rules for household contacts of active cases in the ACT have slightly relaxed so that they will be allowed to leave their homes under certain circumstances.

The contacts can leave for essential work, study or other essential purposes if they do not have symptoms and test negative to the virus 24 hours before leaving the house.

"We really do not want household contacts out and about mixing with everybody," Dr Coleman said.

Household contacts must wear a mask while in the community.

The Chief Health Officer also removed the mandate for staff and secondary students to wear masks inside schools.

Independent and Catholic schools have allowed their staff and students to go maskless in Term 2 but public schools have kept the mandate in place for two weeks while the Education Directorate consults with staff.

Dr Coleman said the time was right to remove some restrictions and ask people to take some personal responsibility for their actions.

"A mandate is a really, really strong ... lever we have. The time now is to remove that really strong lever and to just ask people to consider how they're going to apply those recommendations," she said.

Dr Coleman said confusion was to be expected when changes to regulations come into force and families should check with their schools as to what was required.

She urged Canberrans to get a flu vaccine as winter approaches since immunity was likely to be lower after two years with little influenza circulating in the community.

Mr Hofsink said his school had recruited extra staff this year so absences could be covered mostly with the existing staff.

He said students had returned from the Easter holidays eager to learn and see their friends.

"One of the great things that came out of COVID is the kids' craving and appetite for social contact."