Dozens of students have been asked to stay home after a Covid-19 case was confirmed at an Irish school.
The secondary school in Co Galway said that a pupil in Transition Year had contracted coronavirus, and that all students in the year group would be asked to stay home today.
An urgent letter sent to parents and guardians on Sunday said that any close contacts that are required to self-isolate will be informed on Monday.
The notice sent last night read: "We have one confirmed asymptomatic case of Covid in the last 1/2 hours from the HSE in TY.
"We are asking all TYs to stay at home tomorrow so we can plan accordingly, we will let those who must remain home for two weeks know early tomorrow."
It comes after Leaving Cert students were urged not to mingle with friends to avoid catching Covid-19 - as they will not be given the option of sitting an exam another day.
A senior government official said that “there is a real sense that we will get to those brighter days ahead” as restrictions are set to ease from Monday.
However, Liz Canavan, assistant secretary general at the Department of the Taoiseach, said “we are not totally out of the woods yet.”
New research from the Social Activity Measure (SAM) has shown an increase in social activity, household visits and a rise in close contacts.
Ms Canavan urged Leaving Cert pupils to limit the number of people they meet ahead of exams, which start on June 7.
She said: “We ask them to avoid social gatherings, and to consider their own opportunities and the opportunities of their friends and classmates who intend to sit the examinations.
“There will be no alternative sitting of the Leaving Certificate Examination.
“Students who are unable to sit an examination for these reasons, or for any other reasons, including medically certified illness or a bereavement, will receive an Accredited Grade, provided they are eligible for the scheme.”
Ms Canavan said the Department of Education has issued guidance to schools around milestone events that normally occur at the end of the school term.
Graduation ceremonies, sports days and school tours are allowed within guidelines but they can’t be attended by parents.
