My Department has published a roadmap for the safe and sustainable re-opening of schools. It includes details of the arrangements to be put in place in schools to facilitate a safe working environment for all staff. The key message is to do everything possible to keep Covid -19 out and to put in place control regime to minimise the risk of spread if it is introduced into a school. These arrangements are supported by funding of €376 million and this together with the detailed guidance issued by my Department on Monday will allow for the safe and sustainable reopening of schools.
If anyone in a school develops symptoms of Covid-19 including a member of staff or a student they need to self-isolate as soon as they become symptomatic and contact their GP for medical advice.
The HSE will decide what constitutes a close contact and how it should be managed, including in school settings.
Schools have been reminded that the HSE will inform any staff/parents who come into close contact with a diagnosed case via the contact tracing process. The HSE will contact all relevant persons where a diagnosis of COVID-19 is made. The instructions of the HSE should be followed and staff and pupil confidentiality is essential at all times.
