Restrictions ease for primary kids...

Close contact will no longer have to isolate or get tested. Concerned unions say stall measure until after Halloween

- SEAN MURPHY

PRIMARY school children who are close contacts of Covid-19 cases in their class will not have to isolate or get tested, the HSE confirmed.

It will apply to under-12s and those in childcare facilities from Monday, so long as they do not have symptoms – although teachers’ union representatives are concerned.

The new measure, which comes after advice from Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan, does not extend to household infections.

This means a child, who is identified as a close contact of a confirmed case in their home, will have to stay away from school, restrict movements, and get tested, regardless of symptoms. The same advice is in place for kids who are symptomatic.

Announcing the move Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said: “The latest data indicates schools continue to be a low-risk environment for transmission of Covid-19.