GCL and COVID-19
Parents/Guardians and students are advised that the Government has accepted the recommendations of the NPHET to remove remaining restrictions relating to mask-wearing and physical distancing in schools.
Therefore, as students return to school after the midterm break on Monday, 28 February 2022, social distancing measures and face-masks will no longer be required in school settings.
Staying at home if you have Updated symptoms
The requirement to stay at home if you have symptoms remains – for students and staff alike. One of the key messages to manage the risks of COVID-19 is to do everything practical to avoid the introduction of COVID-19 into the school. If infection is not introduced it cannot be spread.
Hand Hygiene
We will continue to promote good hygiene. Hand hygiene can be achieved by hand washing or use of a hand sanitiser (when hands look clean). Funding will continue to issue to schools for the purchase of PPE, including hand sanitiser.
Face coverings/mask wearing
It is no longer a requirement for staff or pupils/students to wear a face covering/mask in school. Staff and student/pupils can continue to wear a face covering/mask if they wish to do so on a personal basis and schools should continue to make masks available on request as they are currently doing. Funding to support the purchase of PPE, including masks, will continue to be made available to schools.
School transport and Face coverings/mask wearing
With effect from Monday 28 February the wearing of face coverings/masks on school transport will no longer be mandatory but will continue to be advised. All other measures relating to hygiene (including the provision of hand sanitiser and additional cleaning of services) and pre-assigned seating will remain in place subject to further review.
Cleaning and Hygiene in schools
The Department of Education has provided additional funding to schools to support the enhanced cleaning required to minimise the risks of COVID-19. This funding will continue for this academic year and will be reviewed in advance of the start of the next school year.
COVID -19 Policy Statement
Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our staff and a safe learning environment for all our students. To ensure that, we have developed the following COVID-19 Response Plan. The BOM/ETB and all school staff are responsible for the implementation of this plan and a combined effort will help contain the spread of the virus. We will:
● continue to monitor our COVID-19 response and amend this plan in consultation with our staff
● provide up to date information to our staff and students on the Public Health advice issued by the HSE and Gov.ie
● display information on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and correct hand-washing techniques
● agree with staff, a worker representative who is easily identifiable to carry out the role outlined in this plan in relation to summer provision
● inform all staff and students of essential hygiene and respiratory etiquette and physical distancing requirements
● adapt the school to facilitate physical distancing as appropriate in line with the public health guidance and direction of the Department of Education
● keep a contact log to help with contact tracing
● ensure staff and students engage with the induction / familiarisation briefing provided bythe Department of Education
● implement the agreed procedures to be followed in the event of someone showingsymptoms of COVID-19 while at school
● provide instructions for staff and students to follow if they develop signs and symptoms ofCOVID-19 during school time
● implement cleaning in line with Department of Education advice. All school staff will be consulted on an ongoing basis and feedback is encouraged on any concerns, issues or suggestions.This can be done through the Lead Worker Representative(s), who will be supported in line with the agreement between the Department and education partners.