Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said he expects a "normal Christmas" this year without restrictions, as fears grow of rising despite Covid-19 as well as flu, RSV and other seasonal ailments.
The Minister told the Sunday Independent that he does not see a return to restrictions imposed in the last couple of years during the height of the pandemic, particularly around Christmas gatherings. He said there was "no expectation" for that to happen for a third Christmas in a row.
The Minister said that people "definitely should" wear face masks on public transport, even though there is currently no mandate to do this. He is also calling for a campaign to encourage people to wear masks in similar settings in the event of a Covid surge.
