Hundreds of NI school children could be 'quarantined' after returning from ski trips in Coronavirus hit Italy

By Brett Campbell

There are fears that hundreds of school children in Northern Ireland will need to be quarantined to contain the spread of Coronavirus. 

It's understood as many as 30 schools have returned from half-term ski trips to Italy within the last week.

Pupils from Limavady Grammar School were among those who recently travelled there. 

The school has confirmed in a statement students have been sent home to self-isolate as a "precautionary measure": 

"A group of Year 10 pupils recently returned from Marilleva, Italy and travelled through Bergamo, Milan Airport on Saturday 22 February 2020. 

"Following the advice of the Public Health Agency this morning all pupils and staff who travelled from Italy have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days (until 09 March) as a precautionary measure. 

"This situation is fluid and may change with further advice from the Public Health Agency."

The Public Health Agency has been asked to clarify what precautions should be taken to contain Covid-19. 

So far it has failed to do so. 

Q Radio has spoken to the principal of another school who recently returned from the country in which entire towns have been put on lockdown. 

They claimed there's wide-spread confusion over what should be done.

"There's a lot confusion in schools across Northern Ireland," they added. 

"There are very mixed messages coming from the Public Health Agency and it seems there's potential that everybody who has returned from Italy will need to be quarantined.

"That's a lot of pupils from as many as 30 schools.

"It's also a lot of teachers which could have a serious impact if they're forced to take time off." 

 The Department of Education has not yet provided comment.

It's understood pupils from more schools here are due to fly to Italy in the next few weeks.  

A spokesperson for Top Flight Travel Group - which handles most school ski trip bookings - said it is following official advice. 

"We are currently following the most updated guidelines on travel to Italy from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade," they added.  

"Our teams both here and in Italy are constantly monitoring the situation and will continue to do so."