Cabinet Ministers are due to sign off on new laws which will allow the Government to make the wearing of face masks mandatory in certain settings.
Government sources have said no settings in particular have been earmarked as of now and it is a “precautionary move.” It comes as Ministers, including Health Minister Stephen Donnelly have recently expressed concern about the surge in Covid-19 cases, particularly the number of frontline healthcare workers testing positive.
A senior Government source said the move is to prepare legislation in the event public health advice requires mandatory masks in the future. Last week, Ministers said the advice had not changed on mask wearing, but now there has been a shift in response to a potential further winter wave.
Read more: Should facemasks become mandatory again as Covid cases rise in Ireland?
It’s not envisaged that the legal requirement to wear face masks will be “triggered” soon, a Cabinet source has said. However, it’s understood the move could see the return of face masks in areas such as public transport and healthcare settings.
Cabinet is expected to be told that hospitals are experiencing pressures due to the spike in Covid-19 cases. It's understood the advice from Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has not changed and he has not recommended Government move to reintroduce mandatory mask wearing in certain settings.
Cabinet sources believe the current "Covid summer wave" will peak soon and this is "permission to draft enabling legislation in case we need it." One Cabinet Minister said they would be "more worried about the winter ahead."
Read next:
- Tallaght Covid Test Centre to close permanently
- Department of Health renews Covid-19 masks advice as hospital cases rise
- Leading Covid expert warns of 'summer wave' as cases continue to rise
Professor Luke O'Neill says new Covid-19 vaccine could last a year
Department of Health accepting job applications for Chief Medical Officer
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