Colleges and universities were asked to move most of the lectures online over the next two weeks

MINISTER OF Higher Education Simon Harris has said that all institutions of higher education have been asked to deliver lectures remotely, whenever possible, for the next two weeks.

Students will be asked to visit campus for classes only when they cannot do so online. This will include labs and labs.

Already under Level 3 restrictions in Dublin, third level institutions are asked to limit the congregation as much as possible.

The news comes as Covid-19 cases continue to rise in major urban centers, including Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick, as well as Dublin.

Minister Harris confirmed the move at a press conference this afternoon.

He said: “This is disappointing, I know, but it is absolutely necessary if we are to stop the spread of this virus.

“We also ask students to minimize travel and the amount of social contact on and off campus.

“We must do everything possible over the next several weeks to stop its spread and give students the best opportunity to resume activity on the site. Please stay safe and firm. “

He said he does not believe these measures are pointing the finger at young people, referring to the infamous Golfgate dinner as “there were no young people in Clifden.”

This decision came from advice provided by Acting Medical Director Dr. Ronan Glynn, as well as Harris’s own opinion, he said.

“[It’s] based on two things: international experience and where we are with the virus in this country ”, added the minister.

In a statement, the Irish Universities Association said that all its members agreed to introduce improved measures over the next two to three weeks.

He said universities will use their discretion when deciding between onside and remote for scheduling particular activities and “will favor remote delivery if feasible during the period.”

“Provisioning on campus will be minimized and priority will be given to teaching and learning that can only take place on site,” he said.

Each university will communicate the revised plans to students and staff, adding that it was anticipated that these measures would be reviewed after an initial period.

With reports from Adam Daly