NPHET will provide an update on the easing of Covid restrictions tomorrow.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan (CMO) is to tell the Oireachtas health committee that though the Covid pandemic is not over, it is safe for people to return to activities they enjoy, according to reports.
Ten days after most restrictions were lifted in Ireland, the committee is to receive an update on the country’s Covid situation from members of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Wednesday (2 February).
The meeting will take place from 9:30am with the CMO, Deputy CMO Dr Ronan Glynn and Chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group Professor Philip Nolan appearing remotely.
According to multiple reports, Holohan’s update will be generally positive, stating that Covid case and hospital numbers have fallen and that Ireland’s epidemiological situation has improved significantly thanks to vaccination, people following health measures and the reduced virulence of the Omicron strain.
It is said that the CMO will tell the committee that though the pandemic is not over, it is safe for the public to return to activities like socialising, exercise, work and travel.
However, Holohan will also state that Omicron is unlikely to be the last variant of concern, that Ireland should be prepared to respond rapidly and appropriately to any threat that may emerge and that masks will continue to be important in reducing Covid transmission, according to reports.
Main image via Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie
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