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Updated at 19:10
All third-level institutions in the state will be located at Level 3 of the Covid-19 alert framework from midnight tonight, according to the Irish Times.
They report tonight that Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has said that all universities and institutes of technology will be placed in a restricted setting for up to three weeks.
Earlier today, the Irish Universities Association (IUA) announced that all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) will move on to enhance the public health protection measures that were implemented at the Dublin-based HEIs last week.
They said the measures come at the request of the government in the wake of the growing number of Covid-19 cases across the country.
In a statement issued tonight, the IUA said:
“While the safety of staff and students has always been a priority for the new academic year, the focus for the next 2-3 weeks is to limit the movement of students across the country and avoid the congregation of large groups on campus.” .
They said that, following the government’s request, all IUA universities will make the following provisions:
- Universities will use their discretion when deciding between onsite learning and remote learning and should favor remote delivery if possible during this period.
- Provisioning on campus will be minimized and priority will be given to teaching and learning that can only take place on site.
- This will include small group teaching and research in labs, hands-on classes, and workshops.
- It will also include planned limited assistance on site for other priority student groups.
- University libraries will remain open with strict social distancing and check-in protocols.
- All investigative activities will continue as normal.
- Club and social activities on campus will be suspended until further notice.
- Universities will also improve protective measures, such as more extensive use of face masks in certain settings.
Common sense
The IUA said that in addition to these measures, the universities will ensure that all necessary health protection measures are implemented and that there will be clear communication with students and staff in this regard.
They said this is supported by a national guide for the higher and further education sectors and by “more detailed implementation guidelines developed by public health experts.”
They added; “Individual universities will communicate the revised plans to students and staff. It is anticipated that these additional measures will be reviewed after an initial period in light of the evolution of public health councils.”
Meanwhile, Education Minister Simon Harris echoed the sentiments of the IUA today, saying that classes should not be held in person unless absolutely necessary:
“I am aware that people are looking for certainty and I wish I could give it to them. What I can tell you is this, universities do not close, far from it.
“We are asking people to use common sense here, if you can offer an online conference that saves everyone from having to travel to another part of the country, please do so.”
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