Today, the HSE will close all Covid-19 community testing centres nationwide, as we finally move away from the systems set up to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
Along with centres shutting their doors to the public, the online self-referral portal for ordering PCR tests will also be deactivated.
The welcome change comes following updated public health advice, which advises that Covid-19 testing is "no longer recommended for the vast majority of people".
READ MORE: Three die from mystery nosebleed disease within 24 hours as town quarantined
READ MORE: Irish Mirror State of the Nation survey 2023: Tell us your opinions on life in Ireland now
The HSE National Director for Public Health, Dr. John Cuddihy, spoke about these changes and said they are being made "on best available evidence in relation to managing Covid-19".
Going forward, if people develop symptoms of coronavirus or other viral respiratory tract infections, they do not need a test. They should instead stay at home and limit their contact with others until 48 hours after the symptoms have resolved.
From today, healthcare workers who are in close contact with people with Covid-19 will no longer have to do antigen tests - therefore the antigen-ordering portal on the HSE's website will close.
Doctors in hospitals and General Practice will continue to use antigen testing "for the purpose of diagnosing and deciding on the provision of treatment for Covid-19 to a patient".
Eileen Whelan, HSE Lead for Covid-19 Test and Trace and Vaccination, said: "A reduced contact tracing service will remain and contact tracing will be limited to those who have had a positive test in settings and scenarios (such as hospitals and long term care facilities) where further transmission is likely and could have a serious impact based on Public Health Risk Assessment."
READ NEXT:
Fundraiser launched to bring US marine home to Kerry for burial
Brave Irish girl 'still smiling' despite losing all four limbs after Strep A infection horror
Erectile dysfunction tablets among one million units of illegal medicine seized in Ireland
Alarming new figures show hundreds of businesses fear closure by end of 2023 due to inflation
Ireland weather: Expert says 'high pressure is building nearby' with big change on the way
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
