There are new Covid-19 rules for students, staff and teachers to follow as most Upper Clutha schools reopen for the first term of 2022 today (Wednesday February 2).

Under the red traffic light setting, all students in years four and up (roughly nine years old and above) must wear masks when they are indoors or when they are in close contact with others.

Teaching and support workers must be vaccinated and wearing masks (apart from those teaching students in year three and under) and all visitors to all schools must also wear masks.

Hāwea Flat School principal Tania Pringle asked parents and families for patience as the new rules were implemented. 

“Obviously this will have some impact on the way school runs for the foreseeable future,” she said.

The year-four-and-over mask rule would capture year three students because of its combined year three and four classrooms, she said.

Hāwea Flat School principal Tania Pringle said children would spend as much time outside as possible to lessen the effects of the masks rule on young learners. PHOTO: Wānaka App

“While it is not ideal for anyone, please rest assured we are doing everything we can to keep school as normal as possible,” Tania said. “Teachers are working hard to make this as easy as can be for all involved.”

“Weather permitting, our children will be outside as often as possible where they can take their masks off.”

Mount Aspiring College (MAC) principal Nicola Jacobsen said the new red settings meant parents could not attend the traditional year seven welcome on Monday (January 31) because of limits to gathering numbers. 

The rules would also affect assemblies and other school gatherings.

A year 12 and 13 leadership training day went ahead on Monday with senior students taking part in games with their masks on. 

PM Jacinda Ardern announced details of the red traffic light setting on January 23 after the highly infectious Covid-19 variant of Omicron was detected in New Zealand.

She said the government’s education team had spent the summer working on measures to fight Omicron in schools and this country joins many others in mandating masks for school children.

Tania said despite the inconveniences of masks in schools, she expected children would get used to it.

“Children are likely to be reluctant to wear a mask at first but, like wearing a sunhat, they do get used to it and it becomes second nature.”

Find more information about the red traffic light setting and how it affects schools here.