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Level 5 restrictions allow for discretion on whether schools should close, but in this case, Nphet cautions against imposing measures elsewhere so schools can remain open.
Government policy is that the position of schools in a Level 5 setting “would depend on the precise situation and evidence at the time.”
That is stated in the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Living with Covid-19 published in mid-September.
That plan established the framework, commonly known as Levels 1-5, to provide clarity on what measures would be appropriate across the country based on the pattern and progress of Covid-19.
It emphasizes the importance of education and establishes that schools and nurseries remain open at levels 1-4, with protective measures in place.
But he makes a distinction for Level 5, warning that if it comes down to that, “the recommendations will be based on the precise situation and the evidence at the time.”
That is why teacher unions are concerned and seek urgent meetings and clarity on the state of schools, whether at levels 4 or 5.
The reopening of schools just over a month ago predated the Level 1-5 framework and occurred when the country was at a lower alert level than it is today.
Schools are required to close for a week for the Hallowe’en midterm break anyway, starting Monday, October 26, which means they will effectively be closed as of Friday, October 23.
Transmission of the virus within schools is low and where cases occur they are more likely to occur outside.
According to HSE figures from last week, Covid-19 has been detected in 140 of the 4,000 mainstream schools in the country since the students returned.
Some 105 elementary schools and 35 post-primary schools had undergone or were undergoing massive testing, one of the key public health responses when Covid-19 is identified in a school.
Additionally, Covid had been identified in 39 child care centers and eight special education centers, bringing the total number of educational settings where tests have been conducted to 187.
More than 4,455 students and teachers in the 187 settings have been tested for the virus. The tests detected another 87 cases: 16 in day care centers, 49 in elementary schools, 12 in post-primary schools and 10 in special education facilities.
Teacher unions have expressed concern that schools will continue to open if the country goes to Level 5 of public health restrictions.
They are seeking urgent meetings with authorities and a review to determine how it can be safe for schools to remain open.
The President of the Irish Secondary Teachers Association (ASTI), Ann Piggott, said they were writing to the Minister of Education, Norma Foley, asking her to initiate a comprehensive review of medical and related guidance applied in schools. .
Ms Piggott said they would also request that stakeholders in second-tier education, such as parents, teacher unions, principals and school managers, meet to discuss all associated issues.
Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) Secretary General Michael Gillespie said its members were “extremely concerned about current events and their health and safety in the workplace.
“We have many members with serious underlying health problems and also many members who share a home with people with underlying health problems.
Mr. Gillespie said they wanted “an urgent commitment regarding the increased protections that will apply to teachers in an escalation to level 4 restrictions.
“We have already sought detailed clarification on why it would be safe for schools to remain open at Level 5 if the rest of society is effectively blocked.
The Secretary General of the National Organization of Teachers of Ireland (INTO), John Boyle, also called for an immediate review of the public health landscape for schools.
“Such a review should determine if it is safe for our schools to remain open. It is imperative that stakeholders in education come together early this week to explore issues that may need to be addressed. “
In a letter addressed to Ms. Foley today, Mr. Boyle asked for clarity on what measures would apply to schools in the event of Level 4 or Level 5 restrictions.
Regarding Tier 4, he said they needed to know what additional measures the government would take to protect everyone in primary and special schools, compared to those that currently exist for schools, including those in Dublin and Donegal, where the Level 3.
He said it was “inconceivable” that the same protections (hand disinfection, hand washing, improved cleaning, ventilation, capsules and bubbles) were applied at all levels from 1 to 4
Crucially, he added that they also needed clarity on plans for elementary and special schools in the areas where Tier 5 would apply.
“In our opinion, it is incomprehensible that our schools, which have the largest class sizes in Europe, remain fully open at a time when infection levels were so high in the community that indoor gatherings or events were not allowed.” said Mr. Boyle.
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