The principal of a primary school in Co Mayo says they've now been told to reverse their decision to close until after Christmas and will reopen on Monday.

Claremorris Boys National School had decided to shut its doors after a number of students tested positive for the Covid 19, saying they would not reopen until January 5th.

Health officials did not back the move, however.

School Principal Mark Loftus explained that “the situation in hand has been my effort as principal with great support from the Board of Management , parents' association and colleagues far and wide in support of our attempt to redress an every increasing and worrisome situation which was well founded. 

Apart from the 11 confirmed cases of the virus in the school we have had to date which may well rise, Claremorris itself unfortunately is currently experiencing a very high level of Covid cases.

Our effort to reason with Public Health and the Department of Education and Skills  falls on deaf ears but came with the following statement extract

"The Department recognises the work and commitment of school principals across the country. In relation to Covid-19, the current advice to all school principals is to follow public health advice. This practice ensures that no principal is burdened with the responsibility of making a public health decision.

We were left with no choice but to take that drastic action. Had there been only 2 or 3 cases and no widespread community situation developing we would have tried to battle on as best as we could and had been.Unfortunately common sense is not all that common as the saying goes. 

 The school will reluctantly re-open to acknowledge the Department directive but, will also respect and fully support the decision of parents to keep their children home until after Christmas holidays”.