The Government has ordered schools to ensure that thousands of Leaving Cert students will be allowed to complete their exams while socially distancing.
Up to 5,000 exam centres will be used to facilitate the students.
Classrooms and exam halls will be used to ensure all Covid guidelines are followed to the letter of the law.
The State Examinations Commission will publish a guidance document shortly, which will limit the number of students in a classroom to 10 for exams, with two metres between each desk.
Larger gyms will be permitted to accommodate up to 72 students divided into three groups, with four metres between each desk.
The additional classrooms and gyms used will mean thousands of superintendents will need to be hired to supervise the exams.
The Irish Times reports that where possible, schools will also be instructed to create a pod of students, so the same group can remain in the same room for the duration of exams, avoiding mingling with other groupings of students.
Schools will be asked to undertake their own risk assessment in relation to rooms without windows that can be opened, to assess the suitability of their ventilation.
Students who are at a high risk from Covid-19, or who are required to self-isolate during the State exams, will be given the opportunity of sitting a different set of exams at a later date.
These candidates will also receive accredited grades, whether or not they opted to receive them.
