Masks could soon be a thing of the past for fully vaccinated Irish people as Tanaiste Leo Varadkar hinted Ireland could follow the US on their latest advice.
The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued updated advice stating fully vaccinated people can go maskless in most settings.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly predicted on Thursday that anyone who wants a jab will be fully vaccinated in September.
When asked if Ireland will follow suit after the CDC’s guidance, Mr Varadkar said “possibly” and often what they advise, the Irish government later advises.
He said it is up to the HPSC to examine but added “I wouldn't be surprised if we adopt their advice, we certainly have done in the past.”
When pressed on the matter on whether we could see masks as a thing of the past in September if everyone is fully vaccinated, Tanáiste joked and said he often gets in “terrible trouble” for making predictions.
However, he told the Irish Mirror: “All I’ll say is I’m aware of the CDC advice and it has been a pattern that we tend to adopt similar advice.
“But bear in mind, the US is ahead of us in terms of their vaccination programme, not much, but they are ahead of us.
“The CDC advice, as you know, is the American expert body if you like, the American NPHET... and often what they advise is what we advise.
“So if you look at the vaccine bonus that we have in terms of letting people who are vaccinated to meet up outdoors, that was initially advice that was first put out there by CDC you know, 300 million people, huge resources, often what they deem to be scientific and safe... is something that other authorities then follow.
“That’s really now for the HPSC to examine but I wouldn't be surprised if we adopt their advice, we certainly have done in the past.”
The Tanaiste also said the government hopes that people aged in their 20s and 30s will be booking their vaccine appointments “within a few weeks”.
He said: “As Stephen said, the objective is to have everyone fully vaccinated or everyone who wants to be fully vaccinated, fully vaccinated by September.
“That’s two doses or one dose in the case of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine but we would hope to be in a position to have the portal open in June.
“We’re already inviting people in their 50s, we’re moving onto the 40s soon, we’d hope to get into the 20s and 30s in terms of people booking their appointment within a few weeks.
“And a bit more flexibility on the use of the Janseen vaccines will help in that regard, there are some discussions about that under way.”
