We don't know yet what the rules around social distancing will be in September, but the planning around reopening schools is factoring in the need to keep a minimum separation. Along with distance constraints, schools will have to oversee exacting standards in cleaning and personal hygiene to minimise the risk of infection. Ireland will be one of the last EU countries to reopen schools, and lessons are being learned from elsewhere in Europe. In upper secondary schools in Finland, where students are no younger than 16-17, social distances of one to two metres are recommended. Denmark started reopening primary schools and crèches in April and, because of the way educational facilities are co-located, they had extra space, but post-primary schools are now back and capacity is an issue.

Source: Irish Independent June 06, 2020 01:35 UTC