The Department of Health and the HSE have said that the gradual phased reopening of schools can proceed as planned. The next phase of return is on Monday, 15 March for all primary school children in third to sixth class and fifth years in post-primary schools.
In a statement, the Department of Education said that public health has reviewed the measures put in place to ensure safe operation of schools and is satisfied that these infection prevention and control measures, if rigorously adhered to, will keep the school community safe during this period.
More than 320,000 primary children and Leaving Certificate students returned to their classrooms on 1 March. They included more than 260,000 of the country's junior primary school children, as