Health Minister: Covid Restrictions Should Be Eased As Soon As Experts Deem Possible

Tuesday, 18 January 2022 12:56

By Caoimhe Harney

NPHET will meet on Thursday.

The Health Minister says the Covid restrictions should be eased as soon as public health experts deem it possible.

NPHET will meet on Thursday with renewed confidence in Government some restrictions can begin to ease.

Ministers may meet as early as Friday to act on NPHET recommendations.

The possibility of a clearer timetable for easing Covid-19 restrictions on pubs, restaurants and other social activities has risen amid signs the Omicron wave may have peaked.

Covid-19 daily cases fell to 11,239 yesterday, including 6,329 confirmed PCR tests and 4,810 home antigen tests logged with the HSE.

Hospitalisations continue to fluctuate but are steady with 1,006 people in hospital with the virus, a rise of 66 on Sunday including 97 in intensive care, an increase of nine.

Close contacts who are fully boosted and have no symptoms no longer need to stay at home as long as they carry out antigen tests for seven days and wear a higher grade mask for 10 days.

Cabinet will take their lead from NPHET on Thursday:

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