Covid & teaching, September 2022 -2023

gaiscioch

Well, we are barely back ar scoil a week and I've just got a positive Covid 19 test.

I had thought it was a flu and I was going to go to the gp for a medical cert this morning but I decided to do the antigen test and it's Covid. I got it earlier this year, too, for some two weeks. It can't be a coincidence that it happens when we're back in classes dealing with a couple of hundred students per day. All the restrictions in my school are now removed.

I wonder are all schools going to have a surge in cases now? Keep your distances - Covid is still in our schools.

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In terms of school absences, it seems Covid is now recorded as 7 consecutive days special sick leave (I assume "consecutive days" includes Saturday and Sunday, rather than just consecutive school days), and any extra time is taken from normal sick leave. Circular Letter 0038/2022 (8 June 2022) states:

"2.2    Changes to COVID-19 Special Leave With Pay from 1st July 2022

2.2.1 Based on HSE advice, a person who begins to display COVID-19 symptoms or who has received a positive antigen/PCR test result must self-isolate and cannot attend the workplace.

2.2.2 COVID-19 Special Leave With Pay is available to an employee who (a) begins to display COVID-19 symptoms or (b) receives a positive COVID-19 PCR/antigen test result.  

2.2.3 From 1st July 2022, based on the DPER’s ‘Guidance and FAQs for Public Service Employers during COVID-19’, the COVID-19 Special Leave with Pay entitlement for eligible employees will change.  

2.2.4 *From 1st July 2022, the maximum Special Leave With Pay entitlement is 7 consecutive days in any one instance,* which is the current HSE stated self-isolation period. 

2.2.5 The terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme will apply where an employee remains medically unfit for work immediately after the 7-day Special Leave With Pay period. The employee must provide a medical certificate(s) to the employer, similar to the requirements contained in the Sick Leave Scheme. Please refer to the Sick Leave Scheme to determine the medical certification that is acceptable."

coillsaille

Thanks for that info. What is stated in the circular seems different to what we were told by our school management when we returned after summer. We were told if you have Covid symptoms but have tested negative with an antigen test then you are either to come to school and wear a mask or take ordinary sick leave.

Edited to add get well soon and I hope you won't be too sick with it.

mtoutlemonde

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119573222#Comment_119573222

We were told that covid leave was gone!! Obvious management didn't get that circular :)

Get well soon OP!!

Random sample

Get well soon! I don’t think I’ve ever gotten through September without a respiratory illness of some sort.

Covid leave is gone for symptoms, but the 7 days are there for positive cases. Last year you could be out multiple times, test and return.

coillsaille

Ok, I'm confused now.

According to paragraph 2.2.2 of the circular quoted in the OP covid leave is still there for symptoms??

bobbyss

I got Covid recently and I was told to come in when I had a negative result.

But what about if you have a negative but you still have symptoms?