School students identified as close contacts will be able to return to school on Monday if they test negative to COVID-19.

Students will be allowed to go back to school as soon as they return a negative PCR test, but will need to take rapid antigen tests at home for the next seven days.

Previously, close contacts were required to self-isolate for a full 14 days.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell confirmed to Deborah Knight families will not bear the cost of the rapid test kits.

“What we will do through the Department of Education is supply those kits out to the schools, that will go to the parents – they won’t have to pay for it.”

In a further breakthrough, music lessons with singing and wind instruments will be allowed to go ahead outdoors and within year groups.

Deborah questioned the Minister over the protracted battle, with music teachers campaigning for weeks.

“We just needed to work through this with Health, we needed to see what was possible,” Ms Mitchell replied.

“I wish it had’ve been able to occur sooner, but at least we’re here now.”

The Minister pledged to keep working with advocates and health authorities to further ease restrictions on bands and choirs.

Press PLAY below to hear her full explanation of the changes

Image: Getty