Warnings to hospitality sector
Representatives from the hospitality sector are to be warned that compliance with Covid-19 guidelines must improve in response to the latest surge in case numbers.
A meeting will take place between the Government and representative groups on Tuesday following seven days of daily case numbers being in excess of 3,000.
The Government will seek "maximum compliance" with existing guidelines from pubs, restaurants and live entertainment venues, particularly the checking of Covid certificates, according to The Irish Times.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath has said businesses in the hospitality industry who do not comply with Covid-19 measures do not deserve to remain open.
Antigen testing in schools
Ireland's largest teachers union has said it has not been briefed about plans to introduce antigen testing in schools.
This comes following comments made by the Taoiseach that antigen testing is to be carried out in schools to curb the spread of Covid-19 amid a surge in cases.
However, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has said it has not been involved in discussions about it.
President of the INTO Joe McKeown has said the Government should have never removed contact tracing in schools.
Mr McKeown said there are currently 5,300 primary school children with Covid-19.
Booster vaccines before Christmas
A leading immunologist has said booster vaccines need to be rolled out before Christmas.
Professor Luke O'Neill said he feels the roll-out should happen sooner rather than later.
He mentioned that waning of the vaccine after six months for older groups is evident, so they are the ones who should be receiving the booster first.
"In the UK they are doing the over 50s, so it wouldn't surprise me, we'll follow them and then begin doing over 50s," Professor O'Neill said.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said that he expects a decision in the coming weeks from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) about extending the booster campaign to younger cohorts.
