Return of mandatory mask-wearing in some settings being discussed

The Cabinet have heard that legislation is being prepared for the return of mandatory mask-wearing in some settings.

At the moment, the legislation is being seen as “precautionary”, and would not be introduced before the Dáil goes into recess next month, according to RTÉ News. The discussion around mask-wearing has stemmed from the rising Covid cases in recent weeks, and the “disruption being caused to hospital services”.

RTÉ have reported that the latest figures from 8am show 751 people are in hospital with the virus, a decrease of 14 from yesterday’s 765. There are 21 people in ICU, a decrease of seven since Monday.

The rules around mandatory mask-wearing were scrapped in February of this year, along with the rest of the restrictions that had been in place to limit the spread of Covid 19.

However, advice remained in place to wear mask in health settings and on public transport.

Cabinet has been told legislation is being prepared (but not introduced, for time being) to allow for the return of mandatory mask-wearing in some settings, due to the rising numbers of Covid-19 cases and the disruption being caused to hospital services. @VirginMediaNews

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) June 28, 2022

A senior Government source told The Independent that there is “no public health rationale” for masks to return and said they do not envisage the legislation being enacted any time soon.

The source said: “This is purely precautionary and lets people know we are still monitoring the situation and ready to take action,”

Header image via Shutterstock 

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