The Department of Education has published its health advice for the reopening of schools.
The Department of Education has said that no person (child, teacher or parent) should attend an educational setting if unwell or any members of their household are unwell with symptoms consistent with Covid-19.
It also said that social distancing will not be mandatory for students in primary schools.
Students will be advised to keep a distance of one metre from each other, and a one metre distance should be maintained between desks.
However, it is also recognised that younger children are unlikely to maintain physical distancing indoors.
Therefore, achieving this recommendation in the first four years of primary school is not a prerequisite to reopening a primary school for all pupils.
The document, which was released on Wednesday evening, goes on to suggest the dividing of primary school children into smaller groups or “pods” within the class.
The aim of the system within the school is that each class grouping (pod) mix only with their own class from arrival at school in the morning until departure at the end of the school day.
Secondary school students will be advised to keep a physical distance of two metres where possible or at least one metre should be maintained between desks or between individual students or staff.
In secondary school, hand washing and/or sanitising would be required when moving between classes by both teacher and students.
The full report from the Department of Education can be seen here.
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