Some schools in Dublin are to hold meetings to decide if they will reopen next week for Leaving Cert students.
It comes as teaching unions have criticised the plans announced yesterday afternoon, with a number of them saying they were never consulted about the plans.
The government has decided that schools will remain closed for the month, however Leaving Cert students will have classes three days a week.
In a letter to the government, the Chief Medical Officer didn't mention Leaving Cert students returning to school.
On the 5 January, the @cmoireland sent a letter from #NPHET with #COVID19 recommendations to Minister for Health @DonnellyStephen.
You can read it in full here: https://t.co/ds8oDs40Ns
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) January 7, 2021
Dr Tony Holohan said the latest evidence shows that "schools are safe environments, with very little evidence of transmission within schools" but "there is some international evidence which suggests that the closure of schools may achieve a reduction in viral transmission and reproduction number across the population as a whole."
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris says it was about striking a balance.
Minister Harris said "The view we took yesterday was will we prioritise our exam students - who I think many felt left behind last year and were very stressed. We also tried to priortise the most vulnerable students - students in special needs schools and special needs classes. This is until the end of the month, I mean the Ministers very firm intention is to reopen schools on February 1st."
NPHET will meet today to consider whether more measures may be required to address the current levels of covid-19 in the Republic.
