A Kerry county councillor is calling on the Government to keep the schools closed to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Senior Government Ministers are expected to meet today (Tuesday) to consider closing schools until the end of the month.

According to Kerry Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Cahill “the education of our children is a very high priority, but their health and safety must be paramount”.

“NPHET and the Government are much better placed than you or I to judge whether it will be safe for our schools to reopen on the recently set, January 11 deadline,” said Councillor Cahill.

“However, recent school outbreaks emphasise the point that one case entering an enclosed environment can multiply overnight. Everything possible must be done to eradicate this virus and every option must be on the table for consideration, including the closure of schools, colleges and universities.”