Parents and students are being urged to play it safe as in-person teaching resumes for children and teenagers today.

It's the first time some secondary school students will be at their desks this year.

People are now free to travel within their home county or a 20km radius of their address -- and meet one other household in an outdoor public place.

Minister of State for Special Education Josepha Madigan says the government is confident schools are a safe environment.

But she says if it was up to her, school staff would still be an early priority for a vaccine.