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30th March 2023
03:49pm BST

Testing centres have been scaled back since the success of the vaccine rollout, with final sites closing today. (Credit: Rolling News)[/caption]
Given the closure of the remaining test sites, the online self-referral portal on the HSE website, which allowed people to book PCR tests, is also no longer in operation.
The latest public health advice also states that testing for Covid-19 is no longer recommended for the vast majority of the population, in a further rowing back of pandemic-induced measures.
In removing the recommendation to test for the virus, the antigen-ordering facility on HSE.ie has also been closed, but with specific guidance to be issued to health and care workers in the coming days.
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Antigen tests will also no longer be available directly from the HSE. (Credit: Rolling News)[/caption]
Another change in guidance has also been announced for healthcare workers, with those who are household close contacts no longer required to do antigen tests.
Speaking on the removal of these numerous pandemic policies, the HSE said that the decision to do so was done with the aid of the best and most up-to-date evidence regarding the management of the virus.
The high levels of inoculation amongst the Irish population was a further reason cited as to why the government believed that now was the correct time to implement its latest scaling back of Pandemic response measures.
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Tony Holohan oversaw the majority of Ireland's pandemic response, heading NPHET. (Credit: Rolling News)[/caption]
Dr John Cuddihy, the HSE National Director for Public Health, said these decisions are thanks to "the high level of vaccine-induced and naturally acquired population immunity in Ireland, as well as the development of new treatments, all of which are mitigating the worst impacts of Covid-19 infection".
From today onwards, those who experience Covid 19 symptoms should instead stay at home and limit contact for a 48-hour period, following the improvement of their condition.
Although, the HSE has announced that PCR and antigen testing will continue to be used by doctors in hospitals and GP settings.
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