Our Covid Response Plan was reviewed and updated in January 2022, as per Department of Education and HSE guidelines. We realise it is a very lengthy and detailed document so the following a brief outline of some of the new key messages.
1) Before attending school:
Symptoms – We have been asked to make sure all staff and families are aware not to attend school if they have any symptoms of Covid-19 infection. Symptom profiles are available here and we advise parents to take a precautionary approach, particularly for children less able to articulate their symptoms, that if a child appears unwell, observe them at home and contact their GP as appropriate.
2) Re-enforcing general public health messages:
In addition to ensuring that staff and children do not attend school if they have any symptoms of Covid-19 infection, we have been asked to ensure that all staff and children are reminded of the importance of abiding by the national public health measures currently in place at all times e.g. vaccination (including boosters), social distancing, use of face masks, hand hygiene, ventilation and minimising social contacts. In relation to the wearing of face masks, all pupils from 3rd to 6th class have been asked to follow the guidelines and are now wearing face masks in school. Those who are exempt from wearing masks are not obliged.
3) What will happen when a confirmed case of Covid-19 arises that is connected with the school:
When multiple cases of Covid-19 arise in a class or school, we have been advised that those cases should be excluded and the children in the same pod as the case are offered antigen tests. If there is a second case outside the pod of the first case, all children and staff in the class are offered antigen tests. Those children and staff do not need to be excluded from school unless they develop symptoms or have a positive antigen test.
The complete Covid Response Plan is available to view below: