A new plan for Covid testing requirements in Ireland may see some groups avoid the existing mandatory rules as a close contact.
Currently, anyone who has been deemed a contact of a positive case - unless vaccinated - has to book a Covid-19 PCR test and self-isolate.
However, since the return to school is likely to throw up the number of cases being reported daily, it is understood that the HSE is working on a plan to allow asymptomatic children to remain in school.
Last week, figures showed that thousands of pupils were self-isolating after being in the company of someone with Covid - however, it is understood that the majority of cases among school-going children are as a result of community transmission.
According to a report by the Irish Times, the new plan would see anyone who is vaccinated, or under the age of 13 ‘discouraged’ from booking a test as a close contact.
Both groups would be kept under observation, and should symptoms arise after 48 hours, then they would be tested.
Similarly, people in these cohorts with mild symptoms would be asked to avoid going for a test unless their condition deteriorates within two days of the first known symptom.
The current rules already allow vaccinated close contacts to skip the testing process as long as they exhibit no symptoms, but it will be a welcome change for students to follow the same guidelines.
This morning, Dr. Colm Henry said he believes it will be ‘quite some time’ before these changes are brought in, and said it will depend on case numbers, positivity rates, and hospital and intensive care occupancy.
"What we are doing now is imagining the transition from a pandemic stage to an endemic stage where this disease is no longer considered exceptional but part of a profile of other seasonal viruses."
However, he said, "it is some journey" before NPHET will have the necessary assurances to begin the transition from a pandemic through to an endemic - at which point testing will be focused on each specific outbreak.
For now the rules for testing remain the same; you can get a PCR test if you have not had a positive Covid-19 PCR test in the last nine months, but only get another test if you have symptoms of Covid-19.
Children under 16 need to have an adult with them if they are getting a test because they must give consent for a child under 16 to have a test.
If you have symptoms of Covid-19, self-isolate and only go out to get a PCR test.
If your symptoms get worse or you are worried about symptoms, phone your GP.
