Universal mandatory mask-wearing by patients, visitors and staff in hospitals and other healthcare settings ended today following a recent recommendation from the Health Safety Monitoring Centre (HPSC).
The obligation to use personal protective equipment in healthcare facilities was introduced during the pandemic as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, reports RTE,
However, how this is implemented in practice is up to each hospital.
As a result, some patients, staff and visitors are still required to wear masks.
The HPSC has also recommended continuing to wear masks when interacting with patients with respiratory symptoms.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organization (INMO) has said the mask mandate should remain in place as COVID-19 remains an issue and many hospitals are overcrowded, reports RTE.
The Secretary General of INMO has sharply criticized this decision.
Phil Ni Sheighdha said: “It’s absolutely the wrong move right now,” reports RTE.
She said that due to overcrowding, many people in the hospitals are catching COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Wearing a mask on public transport and in shops will be optional from February 2022.
“Very small” number that has not yet received a pandemic bonus
Health Secretary Stephen Donnelly said there are still some frontline workers who have not received their €1,000 pandemic bonus.
He described the character as “very small”, reports RTE.
Minister Donnelly told the Oireachtas Health Committee that €208 million has been disbursed so far.
HSE paid €88 million, Section 38 €52 million, Section 39 €67 million.
He said, “If there are people who have not been paid they are local anomalies,” reports RTE.
The delay was partly due to the HSE being very cautious in paying the money, but that approach has now changed to “self assessment first and validate later”, reports RTE.
Sean Crowe, chairman of Sinn Fein’s committee, said: “It is unforgiveable at this stage when we are talking about winding down servioces in relation to the pandemic,” reports RTE.
Minister Donnelly described the bonus as “very favourable” compared to other countries.
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