Paul Reid has fully backed the decision to drop contact tracing and testing among asymptomatic children between three months and 13 years.
The HSE chief said every decision since the beginning of Covid has been based on the data and research given to the health service, but he says he appreciates that this will be another hard transition for everyone affected.
“It is a different phase than where we are now, we're in a phase now where we’re moving towards a transitional phase," he explained.
“It’s not the eradication of the virus by any stretch but it is a different phase.”
When asked why experts are saying it’s too soon to lift this level of restrictions, Mr Reid said he fully respects those who believe that.
He added that the HSE’s decision has been based on the “balance of risks” presented to them.
“One of the things about Ireland and our response to Covid is there have been many expert people giving their views throughout, but from our perspective at the health service, what we do have to do is make decisions based on the balance of the risks presented to us," he said.
“And on the balance of risks presented to us what we are seeing is much lower levels of transmission in schools, but more importantly children not predominantly become sick.
“The balance of risk for us is that having significant numbers of children, something between 10,000 and 12,000 out of school, missing out on major parts of their education and wellbeing generally is much higher risk."
