Skift Take
More governments will likely follow the lead of Ireland – especially as they realize increased screening of prospective foreign visitors won’t stop Omicron’s spread.
Rashaad Jorden
Ireland will drop its requirement for vaccinated arrivals to have proof of a negative Covid-19 test and return to looking for a proof of vaccination or current infection upon entry, Prime Minister Micheál Martin stated on Wednesday.
Ireland introduced the measure a month back to slow the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus variant. Omicron now represents practically all Irish infections, which have actually soared to tape levels in the last 2 weeks.
Martin also said he believed Ireland’s present constraints to slow the spread of infection work and that it remained to be seen whether health chiefs will recommend any modifications later today.
The government tightened up Covid-19 constraints last month, shutting bars and buying clubs and dining establishments to close at 8 p.m.
“There will be a challenging variety of weeks in January. The next week or ten days will offer us more evidence in terms of the effect of this version on severity of illness which will inform decisions on a broad range of issues,” Martin informed a press conference.
(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Jon Boyle, Kirsten Donovan)
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