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An elementary school in County Mayo has reversed its decision to close early for Christmas amid mounting concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.
Laremorris National Children’s School announced Friday morning that it would close its doors after 12 students tested positive for the virus.
However, health officials did not endorse the measure, and it emerged tonight that the school government withdrew its support as well.
Principal Mark Loftus said the school will now be open Monday for those who are not isolated.
“The last thing is that school governance is not supporting us to close, because public health has not given us that advice.
In a letter to parents prior to the reversal of the closure decision, Mr. Loftus said the school intended to close in order to “support and maintain the health, safety, and well-being of our students, their families, the teaching staff and their families and the school community in general. “.
“Despite not being able to secure the support of the HSE Public Health and Inspection, this is the only practical way we can help prevent the further rise and spread of Covid cases among the school community.”
He said the closure was correct and necessary as the number of infections at the school increased.
School closures conflict with Department of Education rules that require all state-funded schools to remain open until next Friday.
A second primary school in Laois also announced yesterday that it would close early for the Christmas holidays due to a spike in Covid-19 among students.
The Holy Family Senior School in Portlaoise will close its doors today and will not reopen until January 6, 2021.
In stark contrast to each other, the Higher School of the Holy Family says Public Health ordered them to close.
In a message sent to parents this afternoon, Holy Family Senior School Principal Roisin Brennan said:
“Public Health has informed us that, learning from other cases, it has been decided that the safest way to protect our entire school community is to close the school starting tonight and reopen on January 6 as planned.
Online editors
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