As term three begins under a COVID cloud, restrictions for NSW schools have been released with the regions exempt from the strictest rules, but some changes still in place.

Independent schools held a meeting this afternoon confirming restrictions will mirror those applied by the Department of Education to state schools, which have been broken down into tiers based on LGA and COVID risk.

Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour are all following tier 4 restrictions which include learning from home and mandatory masks, while other regions, including the Riverina, fall under tier 2.

What are Wagga schools' restrictions?

Under tier 2, masks are recommended but not mandated for teachers and students from year 7 up, excursions are limited to outdoors, parents are not allowed on site and competitive sport will only be allowed to be played between students from the same school.

Assemblies are allowed but choirs may only rehearse outside and normal school operations can continue off campus including sport classes and work experience.

Community use of schools may continue, as can meetings of P&Cs, and canteens will be allowed to operate as normal.

The Department of Education's deputy secretary of operations Murat Dizdar explained the guidelines were created in consultation with NSW Health and described them as a risk management framework.

"The framework was developed by recognising the health requirements and nuancing [them] for the educational context," he said. "The risk is lower in regional schools than other locations and that is why the level 2 restrictions are more appropriate."

Wagga Christian College principal Phillip Wilson confirmed his school will largely follow the same framework as is applied to state schools with one minor difference being a more relaxed approach to parent presence on school grounds.

"We will be encouraging social distancing on site [but] I will allow for both drop off and walk in," he said. "Our site has the ability for parents to walk children towards the school but we'll be asking them not to go towards the classrooms."

"It's about a common sense approach."

Mask call supported by educators

Mr Wilson supported masks remaining a recommended restriction, saying the educational environment poses unique challenges.

"At the moment we are not mandating masks," he said. "Logistically it becomes very difficult... trying to get students to put them on and take them off where necessary."

As for why teachers are not required to wear a mask, one of the only professions not masked indoors under current NSW restrictions, he said that schools are classified as "safe zones" and need to reflect that to students.

"My observation is that... if we walk around in masks it gives students the impression that they could be carrying a virus and schools aren't safe," he said. "We're not worried about the recommendations, they reinforce the idea of a safe and clean environment as much as possible."

Independent Education Union representative for the Riverina Lyn Caton said the union also supports the measures as they have been outlined for the region.

"Anyone can wear a mask but if you've ever tried to teach 30 kids with a mask on it's a nightmare, [for] those people who feel vulnerable there will be no problem with them wearing a mask," she said. "It's not been mandated under general health expectations though we would encourage they be worn."

Mr Wilson said their advice may change at any time with the developing situation, and Mr Dizdar confirmed the tier system will be used to adjust schools' restrictions should an outbreak occur.

"You could have a school in a region like Wagga with a COVID case, and that school would go to level 4, learning from home," he said. "If health advises there are concerns around COVID cases we might take it to level 3 and apply those tighter restrictions."

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