Edwards Primary School & Nursery Unit today posted to there website that they had a confirmed COVID-19 case within their community.

The issued a statement

“We have had a confirmed COVID-19 case in our school community. Following guidelines the school will reopen for emergency key worker childcare on Monday 6th April 2020. Should you wish to avail of this provision please follow guidance on the "Parent of Key Worker " letter. Your understanding is greatly appreciated as we take every precautionary measure to alleviate the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of everyone in our school community.Take care and keep safe “

They also issued a letter to parents and key workers

it read

21/03/20

Dear Parent/s

This information is for Key Workers Only in our Edwards School Family I understand that many parents feel that a school environment is not be a safe place for children due to the present COVID-19 crisis. If you match the Key Worker criteria below and are unable to access childcare or avail of family support, we may be in a position to assist only in an Emergency situation.

Frontline NHS Workers – Doctors /Nurses/Health Professionals.
Emergency Services
Essential Education and Childcare Professionals who remain active in a workplace to support children of critical workers and vulnerable children.
Essential Transport/Utilities/Communication/Essential Goods linked to COVID-19 Response
Essential Government Officials involved in COVID-19 Response.
If you meet the criteria (see www.education-ni.gov.uk/news/list-key-workers) and require childcare you may email me at info@edwards.castlederg.ni.sch.uk before 3 pm on Tuesday 24 th March. If you do not meet the above criteria please do not make a request.

Any valid request must include your:

Your name & pupil(s) name and class
Occupation
Clear role in COVID-19 response
Reasons to why you are unable to access childcare support and
Days Assistance will be required It is hoped that this emergency provision will be available from Monday 6th April (9.00am until 3.00pm). In the meantime, we are taking every precautionary measure to alleviate the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that everyone in our school community is kept safe. I will review these arrangements based on the everchanging COVID-19 response procedures.

Take care and keep safe,

Ms E Robinson

Principal

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Northern Ireland's first minister and deputy first minister urged non-essential workplaces to send their staff home if they could not social distance, warning they would impose powers to enforce public health guidance.

At the daily Executive press conference both the DUP leader and Sinn Fein vice president emphasised how critical this week was to slow the spread of the virus and reduce the impact on the health service.

They said it was a matter of "when not if" Northern Ireland went into lockdown.

Mrs Foster said anyone not following the advice of the health authorities risked "a wave of deaths" as hospitals become overwhelmed.

On Monday, the Public Health Agency confirmed there were 20 more confirmed coronavirus cases in Northern Ireland of those that had been tested with 148 in total. Health Minister Robin Swann warned the outbreak could "dwarf the impact of the Troubles".

Mrs Foster said "these are abnormal times requiring us to change our behaviour".

"Unfortunately over the weekend we have seen individuals right across NI who are not heeding the advice on social distancing, in shops, on beaches, in holiday home parks and on our streets," she said.

"By failing to implement social distancing and congregating on our streets they are putting their own and others lives at great risk.

"If you or anyone in your household has the symptoms of a high temperature and or a new continuous cough then you need to self-isolate now and stay at home for 14 days."