Publication
COVID-19 (Coronavirus): Health advice for parents and children
From Department of Health; Department of Education
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health; Department of Education
Published on
Last updated on
These guidelines are correct as of Friday 13 March and will be added to upon active review and consideration.
The following institutions will close to students:
These facilities will remain closed until 19th April and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
COVID-19 is an infectious disease. Our delay strategy is planned to slow down the spread of the virus. These social distancing measures should significantly reduce the total number of cases and deaths and the demand for hospital capacity during the peak of the epidemic.
Children may play a significant role in spreading this virus.
Even if all are deemed healthy, physical distancing should be practiced. This is especially the case in relation to vulnerable groups like older people.
It is strongly recommended that those who are asked to mind children during this time should NOT be older than age 75, or have a chronic disease, or be in an immunosuppressed state.
Children who are sick should not visit anybody.
A childminder can come to your home, if appropriate social distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette measures are maintained between all concerned and the childminder is not a member of a vulnerable group.
Parents should try and avoid arranging play dates for groups of young children at this early stage of the outbreak.
It is still important to exercise outdoors, however you should keep play to your immediate family group and stay at least 2 metres from those you don't share a home with.
Continue to spend time outdoors. The fresh air is good for kids, and for you as parents. But please do this as a family rather than meeting up in groups.
While some playgrounds may be closed, those that are open may still be visited - but it is important to stress that appropriate physical distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette measures need to be maintained in all situations.
At home, continue to follow your usual hand hygiene practices. Clean surfaces regularly with a detergent, disinfectant or disinfectant wipe; this includes counters, table-tops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets & toilet handles, phones, keyboards, tablets and bedside tables.
Let the child/young person’s questions and their age guide as to how much information to provide:
Children and young people look to the adults in their lives to guide them on how to react to worrying and stressful events.
If the adults in their lives seem overly worried, their own anxiety may rise:
Worry is understandable. However, from the data so far, children are the group least affected by Covid-19.
It is not yet known whether some children may be at higher risk of severe illness, for example children with underlying medical conditions or special healthcare needs.
However, children and adults with underlying conditions should be vigilant in watching out for symptoms, and strictly following the hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and physical distancing guidance.
It is important to try and maintain normal activities for children’s overall wellbeing.