Ireland is facing into the potential of a second straight Christmas with Covid-19 restrictions.
Having got on top of things only a few short weeks ago, the arrival of the Omicron variant has thrown a spanner in the works of Ireland's reopening.
Once again, nightclubs are shut, while indoor events have seen a crowd cap reintroduced.
Furthermore, masks are now being worn on playgrounds in schools, though the Government continue to say that schools are a safe environment, despite over 10,000 new cases being recorded in children last week.
The fears of a potential Christmas lockdown haven't gone away yet either, with comments from three of the major officials in country offering a grim outlook in the next fortnight.
Michéal Martin
When asked if he can rule out more restrictions before Christmas, the Taoiseach said “I can’t say that,” adding “we have to follow what is happening in respect of Omicron.”
Mr Martin repeatedly expressed concern about the Omicron variant and said the “booster [vaccine] is the primary weapon we have in terms of protecting ourselves against Covid and Covid levels are still high.”
He said: "It's challenging but the early signs are that we are looking at a more infectious variant that may not, but the jury is well out on this, may not be as damaging from a disease perspective.
“We await more consolidated scientific advice on how severe an impact Omicron will have on people’s health in terms of admission to hospital and ICU.
“To me it seems the primary weapon we have against Omicron which we’re all worried about in terms of its growth, its potential and it’s our greatest primary protection against disease and severe illness.
“If you take the booster, you reduce very significant chances of ending up in hospital or in ICU.
“The booster does work, it can work within days in your protection against Delta and now we know Omicron.”
Leo Varadkar
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said: "The new restrictions announced were a bitter disappointment to all of us. They were a body blow in particular for sectors like hospitality, arts, events entertainment and leisure."
Crucially, Mr Varadkar explained just why the restrictions had been brought in.
He said: "We are bringing those restrictions in on the basis of strong public health advice and three concerns in particular:
- The likelihood of increased social mixing as we approach Christmas
- A flu season, which we didn’t experience last year, but may this year
- Uncertainty about the Omicron variant."
Dr Tony Holohan
Dr Holohan urged people that if they are eligible for a booster dose, “then please do not wait until after Christmas to receive it.”
He said: “Although this is a new variant, our early understanding gives us confidence that a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine will offer good protection against Omicron and Delta infection.
“Our current wave of disease continues to be driven by the Delta variant of Covid-19.
"It is heartening to see the large numbers of people who attended walk-in vaccination centres to receive their Covid-19 booster dose as soon as it became available to them."
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