More free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests will be available at schools and early childhood centres across Victoria during terms three and four.

Each student and staff member will be allocated three packs of five RATs per term, equating to a total of up to 46 million tests, as part of the government's $190 million plan to keep classrooms safe from COVID-19.

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Students and staff in specialist settings, including medically vulnerable children, will be given six packets containing five RATs per term.

More than 80 million tests were provided to schools and early childhood services throughout terms one and two.

The move will help limit the spread of COVID-19 and ease cost of living pressures for families, Education Minister Natalie Hutchins says.
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"We have kept our promise to ensure school doors have remained open from the beginning of term one, and free RATs will stay to keep students and staff safe and learning face-to-face continues," Ms Hutchins said.

"We thank teachers, parents and students for their hard work in keeping each other safe during this time."

More than 105,000 air purifiers have been distributed to 1587 government schools and almost 25,000 to 620 non-government schools since term four last year.

Meanwhile, the state government has given mixed messages on mask mandates and lockdowns as rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations prompt fears of a third wave in Victoria.

"We are not considering mandates and lockdowns," Industry Support and Recovery Minister Ben Carroll told reporters on Friday.

A day earlier new Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said they were being considered, refusing to rule out mask-wearing or work-from-home orders.

"The public health team are looking at modelling and they're consulting with their colleagues and various ideas are floated but no ideas have been taken," she told Melbourne radio 3AW on Thursday.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan later clarified the confusion, saying the government was continuing to work with health experts.

"We know that there are a current set of pretty modest restrictions in place that are designed to keep our community safe," she said.

"There are mask requirements in some settings such as the one we're in here and other healthcare settings and on transport as well. We'll continue to take the advice and work through the issues and advice that comes through our health experts."

The opposition said Victorians needed certainty over COVID-19 rules.

"Are more mandates coming or aren't they? Victorians deserve a straight answer," health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said.

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