The Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation has called for a return to mandatory mask wearing to curb the recent spread of Covid-19.
Covid-19 hospitalisation are on the rise, with patient numbers up to 30 in Letterkenny University Hospital this weekend.
General secretary of the INMO Phil Ni Sheaghdha told Virgin Media News said masks are needed sooner rather than later: “There are very real reasons why masks have been shown to slow down transmission and that is what we need now because our hospitals are overcrowded to a level that we normally don’t see in winter – and it’s June,” she said.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has recently called for a return to mandatory mask-wearing in crowded places and on public transport.
Meanwhile An Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said that people need to be “vigilant” but there is no need for restrictions or any measures right now.
Mr Martin said: “The public advice at the moment is not to go down that particular route, but we have to take on board that cases are rising so people have to be vigilant.
“People should wear masks if they feel that it protects them and if they’re of a view that that’s in their best interests, but it’s personal responsibility at this particular point in time.
“Covid is with us for the longer term.
“What I would appeal to people is to get vaccinated, particularly those who have been recommended for a fourth vaccine.
“Please get vaccinated because we know vaccination works in terms of preventing serious illness and death and that’s the key message that I would have today – get vaccinated – to people who are not vaccinated or haven’t taken their fourth vaccination.”
