Leaving Cert students could remain in schools, despite plans for them to shut for the rest of this month.
Cabinet Ministers are meeting this lunchtime to discuss a range of new tougher Covid-19 restrictions that will also affect childcare, construction and retail.
Speaking ahead of today’s Cabinet meeting, Higher Education Minister Simon Harris was stark says the country in for a difficult few weeks.
After today’s cabinet meeting, it’s expected that he and his fellow Ministers will sign off on a return to much of the same restrictions as last March.
Schools are set to shut for January but in a development this lunchtime its understood Leaving Cert students could remain in school for three days a week – with the Education Minister recommending this option to Cabinet.
The ECCE scheme and preschools will also close but creches will remain open for children of essential workers.
Retailers deemed to be non-essential will have to stop click and collect services, with deliveries only being allowed.
Speaking on his way into the meeting, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says the UK strain is contributing to the escalating cases.
A Clare Government TD believes the high level of daily cases of covid-19 in this region and elsewhere suggest it could be some time before schools are able to re-open.
Speaking earlier, Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy, Cathal Crowe admitted schools could realistically remain closed beyond January.
