From this weekend, Irish pubs, restaurants and other hospitality outlets can return to normal operations, and customers will not be asked for to show a digital Covid pass, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has announced. Sky News has more.
The Irish government has agreed to lift almost all coronavirus restrictions from tomorrow – in a move attributed to the passing of the peak of the Omicron wave, and the country’s high vaccine uptake. …
Some rules will continue, however. The requirement to wear face masks is being retained, until at least the end of February, and a digital Covid pass will still be required for international travel.
Self-isolation will remain in place for symptomatic people.
Ireland has now passed the peak of its fifth wave of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
With one of Europe’s highest vaccine uptakes, and a stabilised hospitalisation rate, the National Public Health Emergency Team felt able to advise the Government there was no longer a public health rationale to keep restrictions.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the government was “very, very conscious” of older and vulnerable people who had concerns about a full reopening, but said it was all about “finding a balance”.
The minister said he expected an increase in case numbers in the weeks ahead, but added that the health system had proved it could handle it.
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