A member of the National Public Health Emergency Team have confirmed that rules and advice surrounding masks will remain the same even as Covid-19 restrictions get lifted.
Professor Philip Nolan made the comments on Monday morning amid anger from the live entertainment sector.
After a frustrating fortnight for the industry which saw representatives meet with Minister Catherine Martin and a falling out between her, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, nothing had been made clear about the near future for the industry.
A video captured by a music photographer on Dorset Street on Sunday showed Cork and Limerick fans packed tightly together.
Over 300 people are in hospital with Covid in Ireland, and the five-day moving average of new cases is over 1,900.
Professor Nolan said:“To a certain extent, the current case numbers were expected. What they’re showing us is, quite simply, that the vaccination programme isn’t finished yet.
“The good news is over 90% of adults have their first dose at this point - but the first dose offers you very little protection, especially against the Delta variant.
“The number that matters is around 75% of the adult population are 7-14 days after completing their vaccine regimen - and therefore have achieved the maximum level of immunity.”
Professor Nolan told Newstalk that he understands why people forget or “get casual” about measures such as mask-wearing.
However, the advice won't change any time soon from NPHET..
He said: “We’re going to be living with some level of mask-wearing.
"Easing of restrictions is going to happen… but the advice or requirement to take some of those simple measures - which cost very little but protect us greatly - is going to remain.”
He said it's "more than good manners" to wear a mask on the likes of public transport.
