“It’s the wrong move”
Masks are no longer mandatory in hospitals and healthcare settings.
The rule was introduced back in 2020 to protect against Covid-19.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre announced the news earlier this month.
Face masks should be worn if someone has Covid-19 symptoms.
In a statement, the HPSC said “outside of periods of high levels of community transmission” it’s appropriate to move away from the universal use of masks for healthcare workers, patients, and visitors in healthcare settings.
The changes are in line with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions and include a number of lifted rules.
The Irish Times reports other regulation changes that will ask adults with respiratory symptoms to stay at home and avoid contact with others until 48 hours after the symptoms have resolved.
Children with respiratory symptoms who are unwell or who have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid other people, the HPSC advises.
Previously, people with symptoms were asked to take a Covid-19 test and isolate.
But, the online portals for booking PCR tests or ordering antigen tests have now closed.
There were 12 Covid-19 outbreaks in hospitals, 16 in nursing homes, and 7 in community hospitals and residential institutions last week.
Healthcare workers who are in close contact with patients are advised to take an antigen test if they have any symptoms and have a high temperature.
According to RTÉ News, The General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has criticised the HPSC’s decision.
Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “It’s absolutely the wrong move right now.”
She said there are many people contracting Covid-19 and other contagious conditions in hospitals because of the overcrowding issue in the country.
