Expert reaction to the Republic of Ireland closing schools:
Prof Keith Neal, Emeritus Professor of the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, University of Nottingham, said:
“It is too early to tell whether this is a sensible precaution or an overreaction for the current stage of the epidemic.
“Different countries are at different stages of the epidemic so what one country should do WILL NOT apply to others, we need to be guided by the local epidemiology and the science. This is why currently the UK has not followed these measures. Schools will close soon for the Easter holidays which will give some idea of the impact of this measure. Parents have already planned for childcare during these weeks.
“Closing schools has a number of known consequences. It might make the epidemic or ability to manage the consequences worse:
“1) Reduction in the health and social care workforces as people have to look after children.
“2) An increase in grandparents delivering childcare – this age group is at much greater risk.
“3) Additional movements of children to different places across the city/town/village for childcare which would not have occurred.
“Children do not seem to get serious illness with COVID-19 and we do not yet know what role they play in significantly spreading the virus.
“The UK should adopt UK-appropriate measures and NOT give in to the demand for something to be done otherwise this will result in inappropriate actions at the wrong time.”