Decision on school closures ‘imminent’

A decision is set to be made to close all schools for a number of weeks to halt the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

The Westmeath Examiner understands the recommendation was made at a meeting yesterday of representatives of education interests across the country in association with the Department of Education.

It is understood the closures are planned to start from Wednesday March 18, as most schools had already planned to take off next Monday and Tuesday for St Patrick’s Day.

The time period remains unclear at this point but it is understood it could be as long as three weeks to a month.

An official announcement on the matter is understood to be ‘imminent’.