School Reopens; Teachers and Students Will Wear Face Coverings.

The government plans to reopen the schools by end of this month and as a result mask is made compulsory for both students and teachers.

The Department of Education said that the recommendation of face coverings is similar to that of the rule applied in shops and public transports, this practice will be carried out in schools also. The department says that the two-meter physical distancing cannot be maintained in schools.

Apart from some cases the students at post-primary level should wear face coverings in classrooms.

Teachers and staffs at primary and secondary level will also wear masks and face coverings because they won’t be able to maintain a physical distance of two meters.

The Irish National Teachers’ Organization (INTO) requested the ministry for getting more clarity regarding the wearing of face coverings in school.

John Boyle, general secretary of INTO said that “We welcome today’s announcement from the Department of Education that teachers who are unable to maintain two meters social distancing in their classrooms are advised to wear face masks or visors as appropriate. Schools will have the option of ordering face coverings centrally on the newly established government procurement portal.”

Martin Marjoram, The Teachers Union of Ireland said that schools should be equipped with all the need full things, protective measures should be implemented and carried out effectively as the schools reopens.

“This is a significant improvement on the earlier Government response, which sought to avoid the use of PPE in schools. Fórsa sought and received confirmation that schools will be able to draw down and purchase adequate stocks of N75 face masks, which protect against the contraction of Covid-19.” Says Andy Pike, the union’s head of health.

The minister for education Norman Foley said that a fund of €375 million is paid to schools.

“Funding has already been made available for schools to hire aides to help reconfigure classrooms and install hand sanitizing stations. Guidance has also been circulated to schools detailing how they can best access PPE and hand sanitizer supplies.” She added.