Tony Holohan has issued a Covid-19 trick-or-treat warning to parents this Halloween.
The Chief Medical Officer urged people to take safety precautions including avoiding crowds and sanitising before touching treats.
He insisted children could enjoy celebrating Halloween over the weekend but had some advice for parents.
Dr Holohan said: "This weekend, you can enjoy your favourite Halloween activities safely by taking some simple precautions.
"If you are having visitors over, provide hand sanitiser, open windows and try to ensure people can spread out and keep their distance from one another – avoid crowded parties.
"For trick-or-treaters, give out treats outdoors if possible. Wash or sanitize hands frequently, and before eating or handling treats.
"Neither children nor adults should go trick-or-treating or meet up with others if they have any symptoms of Covid-19, even if symptoms are minor – instead, please isolate and get a test."
The warning comes as the Department of Health was notified of 2,966 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Dublin Fire Brigade Assistant Chief Fire Officer John Guilfoyle urged people to enjoy the celebrations responsibly as emergency services are stretched to breaking point.
Mr Guilfoyle said: “Fireworks are illegal, they’re dangerous and they can really cause harm. “They’re not toys, so don’t buy them, don't use them and don’t give them to others.
“They’re illegal so they may not comply with any particular standards of manufacture so they can be very unpredictable and can explode early or late which can catch people out.”
