The global Covid-19 situation has been hitting a number of roadblocks over recent weeks, with a rise in cases, the development of new restrictions in many countries, and now a new and highly transmittable variant - called Omicron.
The new strain was discovered in South Africa, where a rampant surge is currently being experienced, and has since spread to several countries in Europe and farther afield.
Although Irish health officials have yet to detect an Omicron Covid case here, it has been warned in recent days that it may already have arrived.
According to scientists, the symptoms associated with this variant are quite mild and are in line with the known Covid-19 signs.
As the government works to stop the arrival of Omicron in Ireland, Dr. Tony Holohan issued a stark warning over the current case figures and suggested that new measures would be drawn up this week.
Included in the expected new rules will be travel restrictions and the need for home quarantine, as health officials say it could take up to three weeks to effectively monitor the current situation.
"While there is much attention on new variants, the incidence of the delta variant of Covid-19 remains too high in Ireland, with widespread infection in the community," he explained.
“We all know the actions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 - good hand hygiene, wearing a face covering, meeting others outdoors where possible and, when indoors, opening windows and ensuring good ventilation, keeping your distance and, of course, coming forward for vaccination and booster dose when eligible.
“The NPHET Epidemiological Surveillance Team continues to meet this weekend to monitor the situation in relation to the new variant SARS-CoV-2 Variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron) and regulations are being drawn up to give effect to the new travel and home quarantine policies.
“In the meantime, those who have travelled from any of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe to Ireland since 1 November are advised that should isolate and present for PCR testing, regardless of symptom status. This can be booked for free on HSE.ie."
Have your say on the latest restrictions below, or click here.
