Tasmanian students with hay fever no longer need a doctor's note

The letter from Riverside Primary School, seen by The Examiner, instructed parents that students with hay fever must return a negative PCR test in lieu of a Rapid Antigen Test, in addition to a letter from their GP in order to attend school.

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TASSO vice president Rebecca Churchill said that while she understood that the symptoms of hay fever were similar to COVID-19, as a parent of a child with chronic allergies herself she felt that the public health advice was excessive.

"Both of my children have a multitude of disabilities and allergies," Ms Churchill said.

"My son in particular has chronic allergies, so he'll wake up in the morning blowing his nose and coughing."

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She said that she wanted to see the Department of Education and schools have greater trust in the parents.

"Under these current policies we would have to constantly produce a negative PCR test, and it's just not fair on these kids," she said.

"Obviously if my son is positive or is getting sick, I will not send him to school.

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"And parents know their own children, you know the difference between allergies and illness."

Launceston Health Hub managing director Jerome Muir Wilson said discussing chronic allergies and hay fever with a GP was a wise move.

"Hay fever treatments have improved significantly with script only options available," Dr Muir Wilson said.

"So seeing their regular GP can be a great idea so they can control these symptoms."

By Friday afternoon, a Department of Health spokesperson confirmed that while the school had acted on earlier advice, the department had since made revisions.

Under the newly-revised advice, a student with hay fever needs to return a negative Rapid Antigen Test, and conduct a second RAT 24-hours later if symptoms persist.

If the second RAT remains negative and the student feels well, they may return to school.

A letter from the student's GP is no longer required.

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