They come into effect on or before November 29th.
The arrangements for antigen testing of asymptomatic close contacts in primary schools to be introduced in the coming days have been confirmed by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD.
Antigen tests will be made available to the children in a primary school pod, where a child in the pod has had a PCR test that detected COVID-19.
Where two or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 occur in a class, within a seven day period, outside of a single pod, antigen testing will be offered to the full class.
The tests will be sent to the children’s parents by the HSE.
Parents/Guardians of a primary school child, who has been confirmed as having COVID-19 following a PCR test, are asked to inform their school’s principal.
The school principal will then inform the parents of other children in the pod of a confirmed case.
No personal details of the child will be shared.
These parents will be provided with the option to receive free antigen tests for their child, which they will be able to order for delivery to their home.
It is not mandatory for children to participate in antigen testing.
Children who are in a pod where a child has tested positive for COVID-19 can continue to attend school, whether they participate in antigen testing or not, provided that they are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
If a child displays any symptoms of COVID-19 they should self-isolate immediately and a parent or guardian should arrange a PCR test.
School principals will not be required to gather evidence of participation or of antigen test results.
Information materials for parents will be shared with schools and publicised directly to parents early next week.
The HSE will immediately commence preparation for this programme to be made available.
The programme will commence on or before 29 November.
.
Management Can Easily End Industrial Action - SIPTU
Westmeath Credit Union Manager Wins Lifetime Achievement Award
Midlands Readers Encouraged To Take Part in MS Readathon
Westmeath Town Strong Performer For Fibre Broadband
Ireland's Oldest Living Person With EB Publishes Autobiography
Fund Midlands Councils To Build Housing On Public Land - Simon Community
Midlands Councils Boost Environmental Enforcement Performance
Offaly Food Workers Launch Industrial Action
Public Consultation Taking Place In The Midlands
Man Due In Court Over Armed Pharmacy Robbery In Offaly
Offaly Man Appointed President Of EU Body
Rising Rents Affecting Midlands HAP Tenants
Calls To Fast Track Wastewater Works After Flooding In Offaly
Man Arrested After Attempted Armed Robbery In Offaly
Westmeath Carpark To Reopen As Drainage Project Nears Completion
Midlands CPO's Up Significantly
Midlands Bring Home 2025 Heritage Awards
Offaly Attraction Appoints New General Manager
Midlands MEP Urges Better Pay For Construction Apprenticeships
European Commission Propose CAP Funding Boost