Ireland English language Education sector reopens
Since the end of August when the government of Ireland released a plan for the final phase of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of restrictions related to Covid-19 have been lifted and replaced by guidelines for the population, public and businesses to follow in order to be safe and protected. The government issued a range of protective measures and have been implementing the EuDigital Covid Certificate as part of the plan.
These relaxed rules have enabled the English language education sector to resume its activities and programmes. The ELE institutions were informed by the Department of Further and Higher Education about the government plan which is also a roadmap for the full resumption of activity in the ELE sector.
The process started on 20 September 2021 when in-country students were allowed to return to their courses and since 22 October the recruitment of international students has been allowed.
ELE providers have made necessary preparations for the safe restart of activities in line with this plan. They have to follow the public health guidelines and all relevant travel restrictions and advice as it evolves to make sure that all the necessary steps are taken and guidelines are followed to keep the staff, students and communities safe.
All English language education institutions can now resume their in-person programmes if all the duties of care for the health and wellbeing of their staff and students are followed and implemented. The necessary actions by ELE sector are listed on the government website: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3b8e5-notice-resumption-of-in-person-provision-for-the-english-language-education-sector/
The new students travelling to Ireland from overseas must fill in a Passenger Locator Form before departure and have an appropriate valid proof of vaccination, or proof of recovery or a negative result of RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival into the country. The full and up-to-date information on International Travel Advice including the approved vaccines and accepted certificates and proofs of vaccinations can be viewed here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/77952-government-advice-on-international-travel/#travelling-to-ireland
Marketing English in Ireland (MEI), a leading association of English Language Schools in Ireland, approaches the situation and the following year with an optimistic view as Ireland is an established language learning destination and is ready to welcome the students and introduce them to Irish hospitality and culture.
