Big changes could be on the way.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan is to propose that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) be stood down, according to reports.
It comes as the public health team is said to have recommended an easing of the rules surrounding mask wearing at its meeting on Thursday (17 February).
Multiple reports state that the CMO told the meeting that a proposal has been issued to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly on the future management of Covid and said the meeting could be the final one taken by NPHET in its current form.
The meeting is also said to have concluded without setting a date for the public health team to meet again, though the decision for it to be disbanded will need to be taken by the Health Minister.
Reports also state that, following the meeting, NPHET is now to recommend that mandated mask wearing no longer be required in public transport, schools and shops.
That said, under its new advice, face coverings would still be needed in healthcare settings and the public would be advised to continue to wear masks on public transport.
The public health team’s recommendations are to be outlined to Government in a letter from the CMO.
Main image via Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie
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