Legislative Council: Thursday, November 18, 2021

Contents

COVID-19 Health Advice

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding health:

1. When will the government be releasing its specific advice for schools on how to manage a positive COVID-19 case?

2. How are schools, parents and children supposed to be prepared when we now just have two full school days until 23 November?

3. Given Professor Spurrier said on radio yesterday that she had provided advice some time ago regarding school vaccine mandates, when exactly did the professor first recommend a vaccine mandate in education settings?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:44): In relation to the second question, I will take the honourable member's question on notice. In relation to the issue about schools' readiness, the education department released, if you like, a road map, a plan on a page—whatever one might like to call it—for schools and preschools earlier this week. It dealt with issues such as COVID-safe measures at schools, site operations, delivery mode and so forth.

There were two strategies: one for schools and one for preschools. I am sure there will be further advice coming out from the education department and also the fourth separate guidance document does also relate to childcare services, primary and high schools. As I said before, those separate guidance documents should be out in the next day or two.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wortley has a supplementary.