ISI Dublin COVID19 school protocols

Last update: 4th March 2022

Introduction

On February 28th 2022, most restrictions related to COVID19 were lifted by the Irish government. Please see our updated guide below, where we outlined our new guidelines to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. After reading these guidelines, you will need to complete a short online form Pre-Arrival School form no more than 72 hours before their first day at school.

1. Travelling to Ireland

To enter Ireland from March 6th 2022, there are no restrictions. You do not need to be vaccinated nor do you need to show a negative PCR test.

Students should read up-to-date information about these exact requirements here:

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/travel_to_ireland/travel_to_ireland_during_covid.html

2. Before starting school fill in this form

All students must complete this Pre-Arrival School form no more than 72 hours before starting class.

3. First day at school - for new and returning students and students aged under 18

Before coming to school on your first day, please do the following:

If you have symptoms of Covid19, please do an antigen test on the first morning and ensure it’s negative (see point 9).
Wear warm clothes in layers that you can take off. Windows may be left open as much as possible to allow ventilation, but the heating will also be left on during your class on colder days.
You can choose to wear a face mask if you wish (these can also be bought at ISI).
Bring your own water bottle for the water fountains (we will not be supplying plastic cups)

4. Hand washing and hand sanitiser

Sanitise your hands in the lobby before going to class
You should wash or sanitise your hands often properly throughout the day. There are many hand sanitisers throughout the building, one in each classroom and also in public/office areas. You can of course bring your own hand sanitiser.
You should also aim to thoroughly wash your hands in the bathroom throughout the day.

5. In the classroom

Windows will be left open as much as possible to allow for ventilation. On colder days, the heating will also be on during your class to keep the classroom at a suitable temperature but we recommend you wear warm clothes to class.
Food is not allowed in the classroom at any time. Hot drinks may be consumed from a covered cup (travel mug etc.) and water from a water bottle.

6. Coughing and sneezing

If you have a persistent cough or persistent sneeze/runny nose, you should not be at school. However, we can all get one-off coughs and sneezes for non-virus related reasons, such as dry throat, common cold or allergies. Please follow this procedure if you have to cough or sneeze, even if wearing a mask or shield.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze
Put used tissues into the bin
Sanitise your hands using the nearest hand sanitising unit or wash your hands
Leave classroom or public area if you continue to cough or sneeze

If your cough or sneeze is persistent and you suspect you have cold or flu symptoms you will be required to go home.

7. Reception services

Please only use the face-to-face reception service for general information or if you really need to speak to someone.
Attendance rates, letters for GNIB, PPS, bank and end-of-course certificates should be requested by emailing reception@isi-ireland.ie.

8. Breaks and Student Café

Due to large numbers in the cafe, break times will be staggered.
There is strictly no eating in the classrooms at anytime, and hot drinks can only be consumed in covered cups (travel mug etc.).

9. What to do if you develop symptoms of Covid at home or at school.

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, even mild ones, you should:

stay away from school or if already at school, leave the building immediately, and isolate for 48 hours or until symptoms pass
take a home antigen test (you can buy these in supermarkets, shops and pharmacies). Only return to school after 48 hours, if you get a negative test result.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 (coronavirus) are:

fever (high temperature – 38 degrees Celsius or above) – including having chills
dry cough
fatigue (tiredness)

COVID-19 symptoms can be like symptoms of cold, flu or hay fever.

You may not have all of the symptoms or your symptoms may be mild.

You can still get infected if you are fully vaccinated. But your symptoms may be mild.

It can take up to 14 days after you are infected for symptoms to show. You can spread COVID-19 during this time.

Positive or Negative Antigen test result

If your home antigen test is positive or negative stay away from school and follow these isolation procedures: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/restricted-movements/how-to-self-isolate/

wear a face mask if you have to be around other people.
Correo electrónico academic@isi-ireland.ie with a photo of your antigen test result (positive or negative)
Your attendance will given as follows:
Positive test: Up to 7 days attendance (you should isolate for 7-10 days as per HSE guidelines: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/restricted-movements/how-to-self-isolate/).
Negative test but symptoms of Covid present: 2 days attendance during which time you should isolate until symptoms are mostly or fully gone.

10. What happens if there is a case of covid19 in the school building?

If someone in your class tests positive for Covid, you are not considered a close contact, so you do not need to restrict your movements or self-isolate.

However, please follow these ISI policies:

take a home antigen test and do not come to school if the test is positive (See 9 above – email positive test result photo to academic@isi-ireland.ie)
If test is negative, you can come to school but watch out for symptoms of COVID-19
wear a mask in class for 48 hours, even if showing no symptoms (this is an ISI recommendation)
take extra care to follow the advice on protecting others from COVID-19, in case you have the virus

If your teacher tests positive for Covid and is well enough to teach, your class may be switched to online for 1 week.

11. What happens if the government introduces another lockdown

In the event that the government introduces another lockdown, the school building will close and all classes will move online. Students should be prepared for such an event by having access in their homes to a smart phone, tablet or computer, as well as WiFi or a data plan. Rest assured that ISI’s online courses will be delivered by the same highly qualified teachers, the same number of hours per week and with the same commitment to quality. Any complaints or questions regarding our online delivery should be emailed to acaddemic@isi-ireland.ie

12. Useful contacts

If aged 55+ or are considered ‘high risk’ you can book a free Covid test if you have symptoms (not for travel) https://covid19test.healthservice.ie/hse-self-referral/
Book a paid Covid test (for travel abroad) https://booking.randox.ie/
ISI daytime number Tel. 01 872788 or email reception@isi-ireland.ie
ISI out-of-office number Tel: 087 786 4937 (evenings and weekends)
Jervis Medical Centre Tel. 01 8735959
Jervis Street, North City Centre, Dublin 1
O’Connell Street Medical Centre Tel. 01 8746983
5 O’Connell Street Lower North City Centre, Dublin 1