The Department of Education and Skills has updated information for schools, preschools and third level institutions on Covid-19; provided by the Department of Health and HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre following a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team.
Public health doctors are available to liaise with schools and advise on precautions if staff and/or students have any concerns.
Anyone who has been to affected regions in the last 14 days and has a cough, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties or fever should self-isolate and phone their GP immediately.
Anyone who has travelled from the affected regions and has no symptoms should visit http://www.hse.ie/ for advice.
The most important action we can take to protect ourselves from Covid-19 is regular hand-washing and good respiratory hygiene.
As further advice or information is provided, it will be issued to schools and posted on the Department’s website.
Travel advice for all Irish citizens is provided through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Note - The Covid-19 affected regions are listed as mainland China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Iran and the following regions of northern Italy - Lombardy, Veneto Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont.
The risk of catching coronavirus in Ireland
The risk of catching coronavirus in Ireland is still low. This may change. However, most people may continue to go to work, school and other public places, as usual.
Follow the advice on how to protect yourself from coronavirus. Anyone who knows they have been in close contact with a confirmed case in the last 14 days and has symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fever) should:
- isolate themselves from other people - this means going into a different, well-ventilated room, with a phone
- phone their GP, or emergency department - if this is not possible, phone 112 or 999
- in a medical emergency (if you have severe symptoms) phone 112 or 999
Close contact means either:
- face-to-face contact
- spending more than 15 minutes within 2 metres of an infected person
- living in the same house as an infected person
Symptoms of coronavirus
It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of coronavirus to appear.
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a cough
- shortness of breath
- breathing difficulties
- fever (high temperature)
If you have these symptoms and have been in an affected area or in contact with a confirmed case, read this advice.
