The mandatory wearing of facemasks in healthcare comes to an end today.
The measure, introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, has come to an end following recent advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). From now on, it will be a matter for each hospital to decide on how mask wearing should apply in practice.
Some patients, staff and visitors might still be required to continue wearing masks, and they should still be worn for interaction with patients with respiratory symptoms, the HPSC has advised.
The end of the mask mandate has been received with mixed feelings. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is saying it should remain in place since Covid-19 remains an issue and many hospitals have significant overcrowding.
The General Secretary of the INMO Phil Ni Sheaghdha has strongly criticised the decision. She told RTE: "It's absolutely the wrong move right now."
She added that many people were continuing to get Covid-19 and other transmissible conditions in hospitals because of the overcrowding.
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