Three schools in Co Clare have closed over coronavirus fears.
It comes after a family of four in the county tested positive for the deadly Covid-19 after returning from Northern Italy.
Health officials are now attempting to trace those who have been in contact with members of the family.
One primary and one secondary institution in the area have informed parents that schools will remain closed for the next 14 days.
One school told parents that a person with coronavirus visited the grounds last Thursday and that the school will now be shut until Friday week as a precaution.
It added: "No one in school is displaying any symptoms currently. We will re-open next Friday, March 13 pending advice from the HSE."
Meanwhile, Health Minister Simon Harris has said schools should not close unless directed by the HSE.
Speaking on Thursday afternoon, he said: "It's important to say that those schools need to follow the advice of the public health authorities.
"There may be different scenarios for different schools, and this may happen a number of times in the coming days and weeks.
"For some schools it may be a closure, for other schools it may be that a class closes.
"For others it may be that an event within a school community is cancelled. So it's really important that schools do not act unilaterally."
