UPDATE: The school has reversed the decision and will reopen on Monday.
The school says closing is the right thing to do and necessary at this stage.
A primary school in County Mayo will close from today until after the Christmas holidays over a coronavirus outbreak in the school community.
The Board of Management at Claremorris Boys National School says the very difficult decision is the right thing to do and necessary at this stage.
In a statement the school says they are taking the step despite not being able to secure the support of the Inspectorate and HSE Public Health.
It says it is deeply frustrated at the system adopted by Public Health on cross infection levels and the Department regarding covid-19 and its effects to insist that "schools remain open at all costs."
The board acknowledges it is aware of the terrible inconvenience this places on parents and pupils and ask for their understanding.
It says it is the only practical way to help prevent the further elevation and spread of Covid cases among the school community.
