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All four Dublin universities have announced that all teaching and learning will take place online, except for hands-on workshops and lab classes that cannot be done remotely.
UCD, Trinity College, DCU and TU Dublin have also suspended all student club and social activities on campus.
The measure will be implemented until further notice and in anticipation of the new restrictions for Dublin to be announced tonight.
Dublin universities will reopen to students for the next two weeks.
The county’s only Institute of Technology, IADT in Dun Laoghaire, has now reopened. IADT says it is confident that the detailed restrictions it has already introduced should mean it can continue to operate under new measures for the Dublin area.
All four colleges say there will be limited face-to-face attendance planned for priority groups of students, such as freshmen. This may include small tutorials and student induction items that cannot be done online.
They say that any activity of this type will be carried out in a staggered manner to avoid the congregation or a large attendance at the place.
University libraries will remain open with strict social distancing protocols and all research activities will continue as normal.
Universities say the new measures are backed by national guidelines for the higher and further education sectors and more detailed implementation guidelines developed by public health experts.
Individual colleges will communicate their own revised plans to students and staff.
They say they anticipate additional measures will be reviewed after an initial period in light of evolving public health advice.
Outside of Dublin, all other universities are continuing their plans to reopen and welcome students to campus based on a blended learning approach for the next semester.
Continuing and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said the government “has been absolutely clear that education is a priority” and that the reopening of tertiary education is underway.
“The introduction of tighter restrictions for Dublin at the exact time most students are starting their academic year has created a unique set of circumstances. Earlier this week, in light of the deteriorating Covid-19 situation in Dublin, and following the request of NPHET The Government requested that institutions of higher and higher education consider improved protection measures, “he said.
“I really want to congratulate stakeholders across the industry for their commitment, initiative and willingness to adapt to the situation.”
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