Health Expert Calls on Australian States to Lift Mask Mandates in Schools

Registered nurse Emma Ahearn talks to Stephen Delaney ahead of son Lachlan Delany receiving his COVID-19 vaccine in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 11, 2022. Jenny Evans/Getty Images

A leading authority in infectious disease has called for Australian state governments to remove mask rules for school students in the classroom as the jurisdictions proceed with relaxing indoor mandates.

Many states across the country have taken action to ease mask mandate in indoor venues, except for some high-risk environments like hospitals, aged care and public transport.

While the majority of people in Victoria no longer have to wear masks indoors from Feb. 25 at 11:59 p.m., primary school students in grades three to six will still be subject to the mask rules when they are in the classroom. Meanwhile, high school students in the Australian Capital Territory also share a similar experience.

Robert Booy, a University of Sydney professor who was the head of clinical research at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance from 2005 to 2019, said the removal of mask mandate should extend to school students.

“Why should children have to bear the brunt of public health control of the virus? They have already missed weeks, and even months of school,” he told the Nine Network on Feb. 24.

“Take the masks off. If you are taking them off at workplaces, take them off in schools.”

Registered nurse Emma Ahearn administers the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to Millie Persic sitting on the lap of mother Maria Persic in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 11, 2022. Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Booy’s remark came as Australia just approved the Moderna vaccine for children from six to 11 years old starting from Feb. 24.

Australia is the first country in the world to permit health professionals to administer the Moderna vaccine for the age group, with health officials saying that the second COVID vaccine option would help drive up children’s immunisation rates.

Children will need to take two doses of the vaccine with an interval of eight weeks in between. The children’s dosage for Moderna, which is similar to the Pfizer vaccine, will be half of that for adults.

However, health professionals can administer the second dose as early as four weeks from the first in certain situations, such as when a child has a weakened immune system.

The federal government approved the Pfizer vaccine for children aged five to 11 in January, and since then, nearly 50 percent of the age group has taken one dose.

Meanwhile, Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck has called on more Australians to return to aged care facilities to visit their family members as COVID-19 restrictions on visitors to health services start to ease.

Colbeck has reiterated calls from leading peak organisations in the healthcare industry.

“Personal contact is vital to maintaining the social, emotional and mental wellbeing of residents, reducing their social isolation and loneliness,” he said.

“We are also aware of the significant stress on a resident’s loved ones due to the extended restrictions over the last two years and new guidance means that visits can become more frequent and supported.”