Mask-wearing on public transport, in shops and at mass this Christmas is back after being strongly recommended by the CMO (Chief Medical Officer) Breda Smyth and the HSE’s Covid chief, Colm Henry.
Professor Smyth urged the public to be extremely wary when shopping, commuting and socialising this Christmas after a huge spike in Covid cases this month.
She said we are now ‘back in the eye of a respiratory virus storm’ as she updated her official advice to start wearing masks again on buses, trains and in crowded places like shops and at mass.
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The number of Covid cases have increased by 75%, with associated hospital admissions up 90%.
There were 120 cases of Covid cases diagnosed in hospitals reported to the Department of Health on Wednesday morning, with 19 cases in ICU.
There has also been a huge increase in other respiratory viruses like the flu, up 75% in a week, and horrible colds which can both be beaten back by mask wearing.
Mask wearing will not be made mandatory by the Government at this stage.
Professor Smyth said: “Over Christmas we will see large scale social mixing, we will also see mass transit of people on public transport going from East to West, or West to East, or North to South, be it on whatever mode of public transport.
“And one thing we all can do to protect the vulnerable on the public transport, but also ourselves, is by wearing a mask.
“Our population and society has demonstrated how we can act in solidarity with one another and that we do care for one another.
“I think if we are to wear a mask, now is the time to wear it.”
The country’s top doc added: “Wear that mask on public transport and also in the shopping period over the coming week, it’s really important to wear a mask on public transport…. There are a lot of vulnerable people who do attend religious services, so I think it’s important that you make that key decision.
“Number one, if you have symptoms, that you don’t attend the service, number two, if you are in a vulnerable group, it is recommended that you would wear a mask if you are going into a crowded setting.
“And I think as a population then, people who are not in a vulnerable population category, we can always make that protective measure to care for others and to ensure that we reduce transmission.”
Mr Henry is the chief clinical officer at the HSE and he came out with similar advice yesterday to hammer home the safety message.
He told Newstalk Breakfast: “If you are vulnerable, or you're near somebody who is vulnerable, or you're in a vulnerable setting or there's a lot of congestion - then you should wear a mask.”
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