A South-East Clare primary school is closing for a week after a number of its staff have been identified as a close contact of COVID-19.
A message sent to parents has stated that because the staff in question cannot now attend work, it must close immediately.
The message stated it was ‘impossible’ for the school – which has around 100 students – to remain open without permanent members of staff being able to be present.
Parents have also been told that the development has no implications for students, and that no students have been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case.
It is reported children at the school are due to make their First Holy Communion this weekend, and that parents have not yet been informed if this will now go ahead.
The Clare school is the third in the country to see its plans disrupted by COVID-19 in the opening days of the school term, but the first to close entirely.
In two other cases, both in Dublin, a classroom of children have been sent home following confirmed cases.
In its note to parents, the Clare school says it hopes to re-open on Wednesday September 9th ‘unless parents are advised otherwise’.
