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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Sophie Collins

Irish doctor gives timeline for return of Covid-19 masks and it's just weeks away

An Irish doctor has said it is extremely unlikely that mask rules or other Covid restrictions will be imposed over the remainder of the summer - but we’re not out of the woods yet.

Dr Bill Tormey, a consultant doctor at Beaumont Hospital, has warned that come Autumn - in just seven weeks’ time - it is very probable that rules to curb the spread of the virus will be needed.

Despite Ireland being in the midst of a summer wave, there has been no indication from the government that restrictions were ever on the table to lower numbers.

READ MORE: Irish professor warns of latest Covid symptom occuring at night in some patients

Instead, officials asked the public to act individually and to abide by public health advice as well as to ensure they’re up to day with their vaccines.

There are currently 967 people in hospital being treated for the most severe effects of the virus according to the latest official figures, which marks an increase from the 856 at this time last week.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast on Wednesday, Dr Tormey said: “Respiratory viruses should be met with an increase in masking.

“Because the only thing that actually helps in these circumstances is masking in the population.

“Assuming that we aren’t going to go into any mad lockdown again because I think that would be a very, very bad idea socially and from the point of view of the country in general.

Irish doctor gives timeline for return of masks and it's just weeks away (Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos)

“But I think masking is something that we can anticipate will probably be needed in the autumn.”

Although there is no rule on masks for the public at the moment, the current active advice from the government states that:

  • You should continue to self-isolate if you have symptoms of Covid-19
  • You should wear a face mask on public transport and in healthcare settings

Speaking last week, Taoiseach Micheal Martin insisted: "What I would really say to people is: vaccination.

“We know from when we began to come out of the emergency phase of Covid, it is when we got really critical mass vaccinations into people’s arms.

"For example, there are quite a number of people who are immuno-suppressed and still have not taken their second booster and they should. They should get it."

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