Face-masks Could Be Reintroduced In Certain Settings If There's A Covid Wave This Winter

Tuesday, 11 October 2022 15:17

By Caoimhe Harney

The details were included in a memo circulated to Cabinet Ministers this morning.

Face-masks could be re-introduced on public transport and healthcare settings, if new variants of concern come on-stream.

The details were included in a memo circulated to Cabinet Ministers this morning, alongside the main HSE winter plan.

The winter plan for the coming months will see the recruitment of additional 600 healthcare staff including ED 51 consultants.

While Ireland's 29 emergency departments will each be given individual plans by the HSE, in an effort to help them cope with the projected increase in illnesses such as Covid and flu.

However, doctors have said that filling these additional 51 consultant will be a problem.

Alongside the main HSE winter plan, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly produced details of their Covid-19 plan for the winter months.

It includes details of an emergency response, if new variants of concern come on-stream.

These emergency measures would include the re-introduction of masks on public transport and and healthcare settings.

The plan also looks to expand capacity in public hospitals and access to private hospital facilities.

While patients will be seen for diagnostic tests like MRIs at evenings and on weekends.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says the new plan for Covid, will be overseen by the advisory group:

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