CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER ADVICE TO PARENTS ON COVID 19
An Roinn Sl:iinte
Department of Health
Office of the Chief Medical Officer
Advice from the Chief Medical Officer to Parents of School Children travelling from affected regions
27 February 2020
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is the infectious disease caused by a new virus identified in Wuhan, China, in
December 2019.
Ireland has comprehensive Public Health and Emergency Plans in place for responding to public health ,issues, like the emergence of COVID-19. These Frameworks have been used in the past to
manage emergencies such as the Swine Flu pandemic, Storms Emma and Ophelia, SARS and Ebola.
In line with WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines, Ireland is currently operating &
containment strategy, where our focus is on identifying all cases and their contacts early, to prevent
further spread of the disease.
If you child has been to an affected region in the last 14 days and has symptoms of cough, shortness
of breath, breathing difficulties or fever) they should stay at home and you should phone your GP
immediately. Your GP is equipped to assess your child and you should follow the advice they give.
If you child has been to an affected region in the last 14 days and has no symptoms, you should visit
www.hse.ie for information. There is no need for them to stay off school or to remain separate from
other people.
The list of affected regions is available at www.hse.ie.
COVID-19 is spread through contact with an infected person's body fluids e.g. droplets from coughing or sneezing), or by touching surfaces that an infected person has coughed or sneezed on.
Regular handwashing and covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze, or cough, is the most
important way to protect from Covid-19. Current information suggests that simple household
disinfectants can kill the virus. Further information is available at gov.ie/health-covid-19.
Updated travel advice by country, on COVID-19 (Coronavirus), is available at www.dfa.ie.
Dr Tony Holohan
Chief Medic Officer
Departmentf Health.
