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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Michelle Cullen

NPHET recommends no new Covid restrictions as more data needed on ICUs

The National Public Health Emergency Team has not recommended any new Covid restrictions be introduced.

The news comes following a meeting on Thursday between health officials and the Government.

However, despite no new recommendations, NPHET said more data is needed on the impact of Covid cases on ICUs.

No changes will be made to the current close contacts protocol, but this may change after cases peak, which is expected to happen next week.

On Wednesday, the Government announced that those who have received their booster vaccine would be issued with an updated Covid cert starting from midnight tonight.

The Department of Health has said the process will take a number of days and advised people to check their email for their updated cert.

NPHET did not recommend any new restrictions at this stage (Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

New EU regulations on the validity of Covid Certs will also come into effect on February 1st.

This will mean Covid certs will only be valid for nine months after a completed vaccine regime.

However, the Department has said it currently has no plan to use the new validity period for domestic use in settings such as indoor dining.

The new Covid certs will be almost identical to the ones people have become accustomed to, as the only noticeable difference will be a new QR code to replace the old one.

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said in a statement that those who have recovered from the virus will be able to apply for a Digital Covid Cert of recovery.

He said: "You can also request a DCC of Recovery if you've recovered in the last 6months via online portal".

New relaxed measures for those entering Ireland from abroad have also been introduced.

Those who are fully vaccinated will no longer require a negative PCR or antigen test to enter.

Instead, when you arrive back into Ireland, you must:

  • Complete a Passenger Locator Form.
  • Have proof that you are either fully vaccinated or recently recovered from COVID-19.

If you do not have either, you must have a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of your arrival.

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