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Public health chiefs are considering a limit on the number of close contacts people can have when the country moves out of lockdown.<\/p>\nPublic health chiefs are considering a limit on the number of close contacts people can have when the country moves out of lockdown.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) Dr Cillian De Gascun said they would consider the \u201cspecific numbers\u201d of contacts allowed when Level 5 restrictions are eased.<\/p>\n
But he said such measures would not automatically rule out the reopening of pubs and restaurants.<\/p>\n
With case numbers declining, Ireland is expected to move out of Level 5 restrictions on December 1.<\/p>\n
Dr De Gascun said: \u201cNobody wants to go through rolling Level 5 restrictions on and off. That\u2019s not really helpful for anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe challenge is identifying what that number of close contacts is going to be because we want the R0 to ideally be below one, and the problem is if we\u2019re looking at say, for argument\u2019s sake, three close contacts versus four close contacts, that could flip the balance of an R0 from below one to above one.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to focus on what we want to prioritize as a society and then what we can do from a discretionary perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the subject of pubs and restaurants, Dr De Gascun said that a limit on close contacts would not necessarily preclude those social settings from reopening.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll have to look at what the high-risk settings and low-risk settings are,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt all comes down to wanting to live as much of our life as we can in a safe way while also preventing the cases increasing dramatically as they did in October.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Ireland will follow the UK in introducing a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period for people arriving from Denmark following an outbreak of Covid-19 in the country\u2019s mink population.<\/p>\n
Northern Ireland introduced the measure on Saturday morning and First Minister Arlene Foster spoke with the Taoiseach about implementing a joint approach.<\/p>\n
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has now confirmed that the Republic will also introduce the measure.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cPeople will have to self-isolate for 14 days no matter what. People coming from Denmark, there isn\u2019t huge numbers, but we are following the health advice, similar to what\u2019s going on in the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n
A mutated form of coronavirus in the mammals, which are widely bred for their fur, has led to a nationwide cull in Denmark and sent parts of the country into lockdown.<\/p>\n
While the mutated strain is not believed to be more dangerous, public health officials fear it could undermine the efficacy of a future vaccine.<\/p>\n
However, Mr Ryan admitted that self-isolation will not be enforced and people will be relied upon to follow the guidance themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to, that is the approach we have taken. If we have to change that, we\u2019ll look at that. This continues to evolve in every aspect of how we manage Covid-19,\u201d he told RT\u00c9.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will treat Denmark differently. We won\u2019t provide European exceptions. The same standard European approach won\u2019t apply for Denmark.\u201d<\/p>\n
Writing on Twitter, Mrs Foster said: \u201cI\u2019ve spoken to the Taoiseach & our Health Minister today about working together to safeguard people in both jurisdictions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Denmark development is very concerning. Important we work together to keep everyone safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr De Gascun has played down the immediate risk of the mutated strain.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think we have to be worried at this time\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added there was no sense that the mutated strain was \u201cmore virulent or severe\u201d but said it could potentially impact on the efficacy of a vaccine.<\/p>\n
It comes with the news that there have been five more deaths linked to Covid-19 in Ireland and an additional 335 confirmed cases on Saturday.<\/p>\n
There are now 284 patients in Irish hospitals with the virus, of which 40 are in intensive care units, figures released by the Department of Health on Saturday show.<\/p>\n
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has commended the public on their efforts in reducing the number of infections but has urged them to remain vigilant.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe commitment to the spirit of the public health advice shown by people across Ireland since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic is to be commended.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis includes wearing a face mask where social distancing is difficult, in shops and on public transport.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are a key element of our defense against this virus, alongside staying at home and avoiding meeting people outside your household.\u201d<\/p>\n