Twice-weekly tests for students and teachers, and mandatory masks for teenagers: NSW unveils its 'Covid-smart' back-to-school plan - here are the key details

• NSW students and teachers to undergo free twice-weekly rapid antigen tests 
• Massive surveillance testing program is part of Premier's back-to-school plan 
• Parents will be able to pick up the at-home RAT kits before first term begins 

New South Wales has finally revealed its plan that will allow children back into the classroom, with students and teachers to be given two free rapid antigen tests every week.

The massive surveillance testing program is the linchpin of Dominic Perrottet's 'Covid-smart' back-to-school plan, as the state recorded more than 20,000 infections and 30 further deaths on Saturday.

The Premier's long-awaited plan will also see face masks made mandatory for all teachers and high school students, but not for primary school children.

Other measures include vaccine mandates for all teachers and staff as sport, music, assemblies and even school camping trips are given the green light to go ahead when children return to the class on February 1.

The state government hopes to have delivered more than six million RATs to 3,000 public, private and religious schools across NSW by January 26 - even as the rest of Australia faces a supply shortage.

Trucks have been on the road 24-hours a day during the past week so schools can prepare to hand out the at-home testing kits to parents before the end of the school holidays.

The non-mandatory testing program is set to run for the first four weeks of first term before the regime is reviewed and resupplied.

Teachers and children at day care centres will also be offered RAT kits for twice-weekly testing. 

Mr Perrotett said the plan will allow children to enjoy their schooling safely, 'in a Covid smart way'.

'Students learn best at school and this plan is designed to make that happen from the first day of term,' the Premier said.

Parents will be able to get their hands on their children's RAT kits before classes commence but there is no requirement for kids to be tested before they go back.

Schools in the next few days will begin contacting parents about how they pick up their free tests. 

Craig Petersen, Council president or NSW Secondary Principals' Council president said, each school will come up with their own plan to distribute tests to parents with pick-up times likely to be spread throughout this week.

'I would be surprised if everyone follows the same model; it will have to be localised to the context of the school, so parents will have to be paying attention to their school,' he said.

But parents have been warned many schools may not get their RATs until later on in the week.

Families have the choice of which days and times their child takes the at-home swab with no requirements to register the results.

There is also no penalty for parents who have not picked up their RATs from the school.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the plan will allow children's lives to return to some normality but admitted there will be significant challenges in the year ahead. 

'Activities students love, such as music, school sport and assemblies, will continue with settings in place similar to late last year,' she said.

'We're still not back to normal and the start to the year will have its challenges, however these settings are a smart and safe start to the year,' she said.

Other elements of the program include mandatory face masks and vaccinations for all teachers and other school staff.

A limited number of visitors will be allowed on school grounds at any given time, with just two parents per classroom the new rule for kindergarten orientation.

The NSW government is also in the midst of installing thousands of air purifiers to improve ventilation in classrooms.

But NSW Teachers Federation President Angelo Gavrielatos said there are still significant risks for teachers and students during the ongoing Omicron outbreak and that 'nowhere is safe'. 

'We clearly remain concerned for the health and safety of our students and their families and there's good reason for it,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

'How many other jobs ­require you to be on a worksite with literally hundreds of people, in some instances up to 2000, stuck in restricted, often poorly ventilated classrooms with up to 30 people?

'We will be closely monitoring the impact of the risk mitigation strategies with a view to reviewing and seeking urgent adjustments necessary to ensure the greatest amount of protection can be offered to our students and staff.'