Taoiseach promises no further restrictions
THE Government is not contemplating the reimposition of COVID-19 restrictions in Ireland, the Taoiseach has said.
Micheal Martin insisted the vaccine rollout had put Ireland in a different situation from earlier in the pandemic, despite rising infection rates.
The 2,180 cases of coronavirus reported on Saturday was the highest number since January. A further 1,380 cases were reported yesterday.
While Mr Martin has insisted new measures are not on the horizon, he has already cautioned that he cannot guarantee the lifting of remaining restrictions will proceed as planned this coming
Friday.
Virus
In an interview with the Sunday Independent, Mr Martin said introducing further restrictions was not being considered.
“We do not want to go back, and we are not contemplating going backwards,” he said.
“The only issue facing us now is going forward and that is a decision we will make on the advice we receive from NPHET ( National Public Health Emergency Team).”
NPHET will meet today to consider what recommendations it will make to Cabinet in relation to Friday’s scheduled lifting of remaining restrictions.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee ( NIAC) is also set to meet today on if the booster programme should be expanded beyond the over-80 age cohort and those with suppressed immunity.
Mr Martin said he would favour an expansion.
“Right now we are only administering the booster to over-80s and those who are auto-immunesuppressed,” he said.
“But I would like to see that expanded. And to healthcare workers too.”
He indicated he would not favour moves to make vaccination mandatory for healthcare workers.
“The voluntary nature of our vaccination programme has been an outstanding success,” he said.
On Saturday, a senior HSE official said levels of COVID-19 transmission in Ireland remained “uncomforta
bly high”.
Chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said the health service was set for a “difficult winter” as staff continued to deal with coronavirus while attempting to return other services to normal.
But Dr Henry said the success of the vaccine programme had put Ireland in a very “different position” from earlier in the pandemic.
Yesterday morning, there were 459 COVIDpositive patients in hospital, of whom 74 were in intensive care.