Parents are being cautioned to heed public health measures preventing the spread of Covid-19 when dropping their children to school, with the school run returning across the country this week.
“Vaccination rates are the most important thing,” said a Government spokesman yesterday after the chief medical officer Tony Holohan appeared to issue caution to parents tempted to socialise at the school gates.
Dr Holohan warned the country was experiencing a very high incidence of Covid-19, and that “any increase in incidence among children is often linked to the events that occur around school”.
He added: “It is important that we continue to socialise safely and continue to adhere to the public health measures we are all so familiar with and that our schools have successfully implemented.
“Wear a mask if this is what is recommended in your school environment, keep your distance and avoid crowds.”
A spokesman for Education Minister Norma Foley told the Irish Independent: “The CMO has acknowledged the close working and ongoing important relationship between the Department of Education and health authorities to ensure that the education system can operate safely.
“These measures protect pupils, their parents and school staff. It is acknowledged that this has resulted in some changes to normal school practices and traditions but school communities have demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation.”