Irish pubs update: Latest as major rule change could come into effect by end of the month

Irish pubs could be completely returning to normal after the reopening of the hospitality sector was announced last month.

Health Officials are to consider the removal of the requirement to wear face masks completely by the end of February.

The decision will be made only if the Government finds that it is no longer necessary to wear a mask them.

The Government has said the requirement to wear masks, along with protective measures in schools and early learning and care facilities, would remain in place until February 28.

Photograph of a waiter serving a beer inside a restaurant in the new normal life (gettyimages.ie)

This being said, the Government “reiterated the need for ongoing close monitoring of the virus”.

“The pandemic is not over and the emergence of new variants with increased levels of transmissibility, immune escape and/or virulence remains a risk both nationally and globally, particularly in the context of continued high levels of infection and variance in vaccine supply and uptake globally,” a statement on the official Government website said.

People may see an end to bringing a face mask with them wherever they go from the end of the month. However, it will depend on how the virus is faring in the community.

Speaking at a meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Glynn said the requirement of mask-wearing for primary schools is currently under review, and health officials will make a recommendation later this month.

However, things look positive as Professor Philip Nolan said recent data tracking infection rates saw figures on the more pessimistic end of modelling figures but severity of disease remained low.

He said: “The vaccines didn’t hold up a lot of protection against getting infected with Omicron. But the vaccines exceeded expectations in terms of the their protection against severely ill and requiring clinical care.”

Adding: “The most important thing was in terms of critical care admissions, and we were well ahead of the optimistic [scenario]. It was a critical step when Omicron was coming that the decision was made to accelerate the booster programme.”