Easing of Covid mitigation measures in Schools

The Government has accepted the recommendations of NPHET to remove remaining restrictions relating to mask-wearing and physical distancing in schools.

 From 28 February 2022, the specific protective measures in schools such as staggered breaks and mask wearing will no longer be in place. However, infection prevention and control measures will continue, including ventilation, hygiene measures and advice to stay at home if symptomatic.

This is a summary of the information provided to schools during the week.

Government advice on removing restrictions

Schools should now resume normal school routines and normal teaching and learning activities.

Teaching and Learning

The suite of measures set out in the Framework for physical distancing at post primary schools included, reconfiguring class spaces to maximise physical distancing; reviewing timetables, use of live streaming within the school; and accessing available spaces within the local community.

As the general requirement for physical distancing no longer applies, schools are no longer required to maintain these arrangements. Where these arrangements are impacting on teaching and learning, such as live streaming or restricting team teaching etc., they should cease immediately.

Use of changing rooms, PE halls and lockers, staff rooms etc. can resume where schools have curtailed access to these facilities.

Introducing these revised measures

Apart from the measures affecting teaching and learning, schools have discretion at local level to determine the timescale for introducing the changes outlined. It is not envisaged that timetables would be changed mid-year or work undertaken during the mid-term break.

Mask wearing:

It is no longer a requirement for staff or students to wear a mask in school. Staff and students can continue to wear a mask if they wish to do so. Schools should continue to make masks available on request as they are currently doing. Funding to support the purchase of PPE, including masks, will continue to be made available to schools.

Hand Hygiene

Schools should continue to promote good hygiene. Hand hygiene can be achieved by hand washing or use of a hand sanitiser (when hands look clean). Funding will continue to issue to schools for the purchase of PPE, including hand sanitiser.

Cleaning and Hygiene in schools

The Department of Education has provided additional funding to support the enhanced cleaning required to minimise the risks of COVID-19. This funding will continue for this academic year and will be reviewed in advance of the start of the next school year.

Staying at home if you have symptoms

The requirement to stay at home if you have symptoms remains, both for students and staff. One of the key messages to manage the risks of COVID-19 is to do everything practical to avoid the introduction of COVID-19 into the school.

School transport and Face coverings/mask wearing

With effect from Monday 28 February the wearing of face coverings/masks on school transport will no longer be mandatory but will continue to be advised. All other measures relating to hygiene (including the provision of hand sanitiser and additional cleaning of service) and preassigned seating will remain in place subject to further review

Parent teacher meetings

Parent teacher meetings should resume and schools where parent teacher meetings have not taken place should commence these as soon as possible. All schools should ensure that they have a parent teacher meeting for each year group within this academic year (where these have not already taken place).

Visitors to schools

There is no longer a requirement to restrict visitors to schools and schools should revert to the normal arrangements.

As we need a little time to do some reorganisation, split breaks will remain in place on Monday & Tuesday, thereafter we will revert to common breaks.