An extra two million rapid antigen COVID-19 will be delivered to NSW schools before lessons resume for 2022 with the government promising classrooms will stay open even if students test positive.
Two test kits per week will be issued to pupils and staff across 3000 primary and secondary schools throughout February. Early education and childcare centres are also included in the scheme.
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said schools won't be closed even when there's a positive case.
"We've really shifted from that approach," she told Seven's Sunrise program on Monday.
Instead parents will be notified if there's a positive case in their child's year and any child who tests positive will be required to isolate at home.
"We'll ask you to monitor for symptoms and ... use those rapid antigen tests just to check that your child continues to test negative," Ms Mitchell said.
It's anticipated that cases will rise in the community after children return to school.
"There may well be a spike, but the alternative is to keep schools closed and we don't want to do that," she said.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said it is the right decision for students to return to face-to-face learning amid the Omicron wave.
"I know many parents are anxious but ultimately we know kids do better in the classroom," he told reporters on Sunday.
"It is what is best for mental health and social outcomes."
Four million RAT kits have already been issued to school communities and another two million are expected to land by Tuesday evening, ahead of the February 1 term start.
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant is urging parents not to send kids if they have symptoms, even if they test negative.
About 20,000 air purifiers will be issued to schools and principals provided with specific advice on how to maximise natural ventilation.
Masks remain mandatory for high school teachers and students and are recommended for pupils in Year 3 and above.
Visitors to schools will be limited and COVID-safe plans implemented for excursions.
There are also extensive contingency plans to cover staff absences from a pool of 1000 student and retired teachers as well as hundreds of trained departmental officers and school administrators.
The NSW Teachers Federation said it will closely monitor the effectiveness of the measures.
"Omicron has taught us that nowhere is safe," president Angelo Gavrielatos said on Sunday.
The opposition said the return to school plan left little time for principals, teachers and parents to get ready for the start of term.
Education spokeswoman Prue Car asked what happens once the current supply of rapid antigen kits is exhausted.
"It's not like Omicron is really going anywhere, anytime soon," she said.
NSW added 20,324 new COVID-19 infections on Sunday along with 34 virus-related deaths.
The number of hospital patients was slightly down, with 2712 in care. Of those, 189 are in ICUs and 72 require a ventilator.
