Cllr, CPC, and gardai working to manage student lunchtime shops rush

CPC Principal Joe Leonard, Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, and Gda Jon Brien.

Discussions have been taking place during the week to ensure that the lunchtime rush to local shops by students of Cross and Passion College will be managed in relation to Covid-19 protocols, when they return to school, writes Brian Byrne.

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer has been liaising with Nolans, Eurospar, and Steve's Daybreak convenience store and with the school's management and the gardai to ensure that the students who traditionally buy rolls and other lunch items from the stores can be regulated to minimise the possibility of coronavirus spread.

CPC Principal Joe Leonard says that that during lunchtime the students will be encouraged to get fresh air, movement and perhaps a chance to wear no face mask where social distancing might be possible outside the school building and grounds (ED Note: This is the opposite to what was reported in an earlier version of this story).

Cllr O'Dwyer told the Diary the likelihood is that, apart from First Years, there will be a large number of students coming out to the shops. With concerns from older people and other shop customers being a real issue, the councillor says it's a case of trying to 'get ahead of it' before the school reopens. "It's making sure that everyone is aware, and working out what is the best and safest way to manage it."

Older and medically vulnerable people will be advised to stay away from the relevant shops at the rush time, which many regular shoppers do in normal circumstances anyway.

A pre-ordering system similar to that already used by Nolans for the students' lunch needs may be extended to the other shops, the Diary understands from the current state of discussions. Specific collection points may also be introduced, which will discourage crowding the stores' premises.

"The gardai will be watching from the streets to make sure there aren't groups of people congregating, or blocking the paths. It's mainly a training for us all in how we'll have to work to deal with the situation once the schools do reopen. It's minimising the risk ... we're not going to be able to get rid of the risk, but it's a case of making people feel safer."

When the full plan has been agreed, early next week, it will be communicated in detail to all parents of CPC students.

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