Ó An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
The government has decided that as of midnight on Wednesday night 21 October all of Ireland will be placed on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19.
Level 5 of the Plan is available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5.
Speaking today (Tuesday), Minister Harris said:
"Our further and higher education institutions have already moved classes primarily online, with student and staff welfare being of paramount importance. I want to pay tribute to the collective efforts of staff and students in continuing educational programmes in this way.
"We are now in a scenario where Ireland as a whole must move to Level 5 of the government’s plan for living with COVID-19, and that means that all further and higher education institutions should continue to deliver the vast majority of classes online.
"The Level 5 measures announced last night designate higher and further education as essential insofar as onsite presence is required and such education activities cannot be held remotely. Institutions and providers are best placed to determine where onsite presence is required but essential activities at Level 5 in further and higher education may include:
"Campus accommodation will remain open to students and staff but with no visitors permitted. In line with Level 5, from Wednesday midnight students are asked to exercise within 5 kilometres of their accommodation and not visit other households.
"All appropriate protective measures will be maintained to support these onsite activities and to avoid congregation. For transport to and from campuses for the above essential purposes walking and cycling is encouraged but public transport can be used where necessary.
"This has been a very difficult time for students and for those working in further and higher education, and I want to acknowledge that. It is clear that programmes will continue to operate primarily online for the remainder of this semester. We will review the position with relevant institutions and stakeholders in the light of experience and the progress of the disease and communicate the position for next semester before the end of the year."
ENDS