• UK
  • World
    • USA
  • Entertainment
    • Celeb
    • Showbiz
    • Magazine
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Science
    • Education
  • Insurance
  • Business
  • Auto
  • ToS/Contact
    • ToS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
NewsExplored
  • UK
  • World
    • USA
  • Entertainment
    • Celeb
    • Showbiz
    • Magazine
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Science
    • Education
  • Insurance
  • Business
  • Auto
  • ToS/Contact
    • ToS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • LinkedIn

  • Tumblr

  • RSS

UK

Coronavirus: NI schools given new guidance for reopening

Coronavirus: NI schools given new guidance for reopening
Newsexplored
13th August 2020
ShareTweet
SubscribeRedditGoogleWhatsappStumbleuponPinterestDiggLinkedinTumblrTelegram
Views:
3
Empty classroomImage copyright PA Media
Image caption Schools shut in late March in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19

NI’s schools have received revised guidance for reopening with “relaxed” social distancing rules and optional face coverings in classrooms.

Education Minister Peter Weir said strict distancing between children “may be relaxed in the presence of other mitigations” such as hygiene measures.

But he said the current distancing guidance of 2m must “continue to be followed between adults” in schools.

Face coverings are “acceptable” but not “recommended for routine use”.

Schools in Northern Ireland closed in late March in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19 but are due to reopen on a full-time basis later this month.

Pupils in Primary 7, Year 12, Year 14 and “all vulnerable children” are due to return to school on 24 August.

All other pupils will begin the new school year on the week beginning 31 August.

Details of the revised reopening guidance were reported by BBC News NI on Wednesday but the full document was published by the Department of Education on Thursday.

It said that strict social distancing requirements will be relaxed for all pupils but will remain in place between adults at 2m and “as far as is practicable between pupils and adults”.

The guidance added: “As far as is practicable, social distancing at 2m should be maintained for both children and adults who are not from the same household.”

‘Protective bubbles’

Mitigations, such as increased hygiene measures, have been suggested with the aim of keeping children safe where social distancing is not thought to be practical.

data-ad-format="auto">

These include the formation of “protective bubbles” for primary school children and pupils in years 8-10 in post-primary schools.

For older pupils, the guidance recommended that “interactions between different year groups” should be limited.

Image copyright SASCHA STEINBACH/EPA
Image caption Face coverings are “highly recommended” for all pupils when taking transport to school

Regarding face coverings, the document stated that given the mitigations in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19, “face coverings are not generally recommended for routine use in schools”.

However, it added that staff and pupils “may wish to use them during the routine school day and this is acceptable”.


It also said that schools should also be aware that some people are exempt from wearing face coverings.

‘Flexible approach’

The guidance for the journey to and from school is different.

The document stated it is “strongly recommended that all pupils, regardless of age, should wear a face covering on all buses, trains or taxis for the journey to school” if it is appropriate in their case.

There are also separate rules for school staff and parents.

Face coverings “must be worn in staff rooms” and during staff meetings lasting more than 15 minutes.

Adults who are visiting school premises must also use face coverings.

In a statement, Mr Weir said the latest guidance “promotes a flexible approach to the use of existing spaces as a means of maximising face-to-face teaching opportunities”.

Regarding space between pupils, the minister said: “Within school, in circumstances where strict social distancing between children cannot reasonably be applied, the use of ‘protective bubbles’, decreasing interaction and movement around the school must be followed.

“This additional mitigating measure has been applied successfully by other countries in their arrangements for reopening of schools.”

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Skype (Opens in new window)

Related

Related Itemscoronavirusgivenguidancereopeningschools
UK
13th August 2020
Newsexplored @newsexploredweb

Related Itemscoronavirusgivenguidancereopeningschools

More in UK

  • Read More
    Frank Lampard: Chelsea sack manager with Thomas Tuchel expected to replace him

    Views:3 Frank Lampard won 28 of his 57 Premier League games in charge of Chelsea Chelsea have...

    Newsexplored 13th August 2020
  • Read More
    Scotland’s papers: New Covid strain in Scotland and ‘save Union’ plan

    Views:3 image captionThe Herald says Scotland has identified at least three cases of the South African coronavirus...

    Newsexplored 13th August 2020
  • Read More
    The Papers: Schools out ’till Easter’ for ‘lost generation’ kids

    Views:3 By BBC NewsStaff image captionIt’s looking more likely that parents in England “will have many more...

    Newsexplored 13th August 2020
  • Read More
    Snow in the UK: Wintry weather in pictures

    Views:3 image copyrightPA Wire image captionPeople tumbled into action to make the most of the rare snowfall...

    Newsexplored 13th August 2020
  • Read More
    Covid: Four vaccine centres shut amid snow alert for Wales

    Views:3 Published 17 minutes ago Related Topics image copyrightTraffic Wales image captionSnow on the M4 Junction 24...

    Newsexplored 13th August 2020
  • Read More
    The Papers: Vaccinated told to follow rules and PM’s jab ‘gamble’

    Views:3 By BBC NewsStaff image captionThose who have had the Covid-19 vaccine must stick to lockdown rules...

    Newsexplored 13th August 2020
  • Read More
    Cheltenham Town 1-3 Man City: Six-time winners avoid FA Cup shock

    Views:3 Cheltenham Town came within nine minutes of one of the biggest shocks in recent FA Cup...

    Newsexplored 13th August 2020
  • Read More
    Covid vaccine: Can Wales meet its targets?

    Views:3 By Steve Duffy & Gwyndaf HughesBBC news It is hoped 70% of the over-80s in Wales...

    Newsexplored 13th August 2020
  • Read More
    The Papers: UK ‘feeling the strain’ but gets vaccine ‘boost’

    Views:3 By BBC NewsStaff image captionThe Financial Times is just one of Saturday’s papers that leads with...

    Newsexplored 13th August 2020
  • Read More
    Chorley 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Vitinha’s superb goal sees Wolves past non-league opponents

    Views:3 Non-league Chorley were unable to emulate the heroes from 1986 by causing an FA Cup sensation...

    Newsexplored 13th August 2020
  • Read More
    Skewen flood: Mine shaft ‘blow out’ may have flooded village

    Views:3 Published 2 hours ago media captionTeresa Dalling says a river of orange water rushed through the...

    Newsexplored 13th August 2020
  • Read More
    English councils battling financial ruin

    Views:3 By Jennifer ScottOnline political reporter, BBC News image copyrightReuters Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, warnings have been...

    Newsexplored 13th August 2020
Scroll for more
Tap
data-ad-format="auto">
NewsExplored

NewsExplored - Making sure all the latest news is explored?

Contact us for help

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • Comments

  • Australian Open: Heather Watson among 47 players to quarantine in Melbourne after Covid cases on flights
    Sports16th January 2021
  • The Papers: ‘Fortress Britain’ and ‘modern miracle workers’
    UK15th January 2021
  • Fashion lookahead: Eight major 2021 looks from tie-dye to pastels
    Entertainment30th December 2020
  • Fifa 21 and Frozen 2 top digital sales of 2020
    Tech8th January 2021
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-26 Green Bay Packers; Buffalo Bills 24-38 Kansas City Chiefs
    USA25th January 2021
  • The homeless drug addict who became a history professor
    USA24th January 2021
  • Kamala Harris: What the vice-president did on her first day
    USA21st January 2021
  • Biden inauguration: New president to be sworn in amid Trump snub
    USA20th January 2021
  • Les Rehrer says:

    Hello Its me :P and thanks for this post

  • optumrx login says:

    Thank For News.

  • Kent Laatsch says:

    Please let me know if you're looking for a writer…

  • Bob says:

    RT News was where I learned that Erdogan controlled isis.…

Copyright © 2018 Top News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by Wordpress.

Weather ‘had impact’ on fatal train derailment near Stonehaven
Coronavirus: England’s contact tracing app trial gets under way
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok