Midwest News understands that just seven of the 125 students at Claremorris Boys National School have arrived for school this morning.

Most parents with children in the school appear to have kept their children at home this morning due to concerns over the spread of Covid-19.
The school had intended to close early ahead of the Christmas break after recording at least 12 cases of Covid 19 since the mid-term break.
However, on Friday last, the Department of Education instructed the school to remain open.
Apart from the  confirmed cases of the virus in the school, the Claremorris electoral area is currently experiencing a high level of Covid cases.

Principal of the school Mark Loftus told Midwest News that his efforts to reason with Public Health and the Department of Education had fallen on deaf ears. Ahead of this morning’s reopening, he said he will reluctantly re-open today to  acknowledge the Department directive but, also respects and fully support the decision of parents to keep their children home until after Christmas holidays