Facemasks to be worn in universities says Simon Harris
Third-level students will be advised to wear face-coverings or visors if they can not properly socially distance.
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has published guidelines for the reopening of these facilities in the autumn.
A physical distance of two metres should be maintained under all circumstances, if possible.
If this cannot be achieved, face-coverings, visors or barriers should be used.
If teaching can not be delivered with a two-metre distance between students, a one-metre rule is acceptable.
Higher Education Institutions have unanimously welcomed the Guidelines for Public Health Measures in HEIs supported by @DeptofFHed & Minister @SimonHarrisTD for a safe return to campus for students & staff.
— Irish Universities Assoc. (@IUAofficial) August 5, 2020
In cooperation with @THEA_Irl @WeAreTUDublinhttps://t.co/PCA5erz7pN
In a statement this evening the Irish Universities Association (IUA) welcomed the new guidelines.
Institutes of Technology represented by THEA (Technological Higher Education Association) also greeted the announcement with approval.
IUA said the guidelines include a range of measures specific to Higher Education settings and have been approved by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
"The over-riding objective is to ensure the safe return of all staff and students to on-campus activity this autumn," the statement from IUA said.
