Dr. Ronan Glynn:

To answer briefly, if a child has a test and the test is negative, he or she should be able to return 48 hours after the end of the symptoms, but it depends on the precise nature of the circumstances. I will provide an overall written answer.

Dr. Favier commented on the issue of coughing at least in the press conference the other evening. There will be children with coughs as part of underlying conditions, but at issue is the onset of a new cough. On any given day over the next number of months, if a parent or carer has a particular concern, he or she needs to act with an abundance of caution in the first instance and keep his or her child at home. If concerned, he or she should contact the GP. That will lead to busy GP practices, but it is better to be sure and safe, keep the child at home in the first instance and have clarity and confidence before sending him or her into school.