IRELAND: Update to mask wearing advice as cases begin to rise

Ireland: As the number of people hospitalized with Covid-19 within 24 hours has risen to 60, people are once again being encouraged to wear masks on public transport and health care arrangements.

There were 397 Covid-19 patients yesterday, an increase of 60 over Saturday. Twenty-four people were infected with the virus in the ICU, two of whom were admitted within the last 24 hours.

Face masks are no longer mandatory. However, they are still advised:

• on public transport
• in healthcare settings

The following public health advice will continue to be important:

• the continuation of mask wearing on public transport
• the continuation of mask wearing in healthcare settings in line with evolving national guidance
• continuing infection prevention and control measures in early learning settings, school-aged childcare and schools, including ventilation, hygiene measures and advice to stay at home if symptomatic
• current arrangements in place in respect of the schools’, early learning and school-aged care facilities’ antigen testing programme will also continue.

The Department of Health has issued an online advice:

 “It is advisable to wear a mask on public transport and in health care settings.

"People at risk for Covid-19 are advised to be aware of the risks associated with the activities they may choose to engage in and to wear masks for better protection."

It says that in "busy indoor settings" people should "consider" wearing a mask and "do not discourage" anyone from wearing a mask.

As a result of the new variants another wave of infection is spreading across the country, anyone who is weak or concerned about Kovid-19 should be made aware of their social involvement.

“For anyone who is going to visit vulnerable people, it is a good idea to have them do antigen tests first.

The variants are a little different from what we have seen before. People who have been infected before are more likely to become infected.

By the end of February, compulsory masking of public transport and shops was abolished in Ireland. After that, wearing the mask is less common on public transportation or indoor areas.

For those who are unable to get the vaccine, for whatever reason, at any stage, as now, when there is a slight increase in cases, it is time to take extra precautions such as wearing a mask when interacting with people. Be aware of the environment in which you live. However, the current increase in numbers is "not a big concern now".

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