Helpful Graphic for Antigen Tests

Face Coverings

NPHET has recommended the wearing of face masks/coverings by children in 3rd class and above in primary schools. They have advised that this measure is being introduced on a temporary basis and is subject to review in mid-February 2022.

Face masks/coverings act as a barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from travelling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the face mask/covering coughs, sneezes, talks or raises their voice. Face masks/coverings are therefore intended to prevent transmission of the virus from the wearer (who may not know that they are infected) to those with whom they come into close contact.

Face masks/coverings must not contain any slogans/logos/images that may cause upset or be deemed offensive to any member of the school community.

Advice on how to use face coverings properly can be found here.

Exemptions

A medical certificate to certify that a person falls into a category listed below must be provided to the school on behalf of, any person (pupil) who claims that they are covered by the exemptions below: 

• any pupil with difficulty breathing or other relevant medical conditions 
• any pupil who is unable to remove the cloth face-covering or visor without assistance 
• any pupil who has special needs and who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing the cloth face covering or visor, for example pupils with intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, sensory concerns or tactile sensitivity.

Schools will be best placed to identify those children whose complex needs are such that the wearing of face covering may not be possible for them, and to discuss this with parents as required. Thus, please contact the Principal if you feel your child has specific complex needs that doesn't allow them to wear face coverings.

Pupils using school transport

Pupils from 3rd class and up on the primary transport scheme are required to wear face masks/coverings subject to the exemptions above.

Breaktimes

Students will not be asked to wear face coverings when on the yard but obviously may do so if they wish

Face Coverings

Antigen Testing

THE NEW ANTIGEN testing regime in primary schools across the country begins today. 
The tests will be provided for children who are close contacts of a case in their own class
pod. 
If a parent receives a positive PCR test for their child, they are being asked to inform the
principal of the school. 
The principal will then contact the parents of the other children in their child’s pod, to give
them details of how they can order free  antigen tests for their children using a freephone
number.
If just one pod is involved, only the children in this pod will be offered antigen tests. If there
are two pods with separate confirmed cases of Covid, then parents of children in the whole
class will be contacted and provided with the information on how they can request antigen
tests. 
The children in the pod of the confirmed case can continue to attend school as long as they
have no symptoms.