Colleges to remain closed beyond March 29, minister confirms

The government will announce today or tomorrow how the closure will go on for

Colleges will remain closed beyond March 29, Minister for Education Joe McHugh confirmed today.

McHugh said that the government would announce today or tomorrow how long the closure of schools, colleges and crèches will extend for. 

Speaking to Galway Bay FM this morning, the minister did not make further comments relating specifically to colleges, instead saying that the government is committed to holding State exams.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced the closure of schools, colleges and universities due to the spread of the coronavirus in a media statement from Washington on March 12. 

The provost circulated an email to all staff and students confirming Trinity’s closure and said that while the government was closing all colleges until March 29, “it would be wise to allow for the possibility of a longer closure”.

Campus is currently closed to all undergraduate students with the exception of those who live on-campus, following the government’s decision to close schools, universities, and cultural institutions.

Access for staff is to continue, while postgraduate students who require access to the campus in order to engage in “critical research projects” are to be admitted if they show they have received permission through email from their supervisors.

College is making preparations to replace exams with alternative online assessments.

There are now 1,125 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Ireland, with at least 10 students and staff of Trinity receiving a positive diagnosis for Covid-19.

The government is expected to announce further restrictions on travel and businesses at 3pm today.

Aisling Grace

Aisling Grace was the Editor-in-Chief of the 66th Volume of Trinity News. She was also formerly Online Editor and Deputy News Editor.