Isolation period cut in updated safely protocol
by Niall Shanahan
 
Those who experience Covid symptoms must self-isolate and get tested.
Those who experience Covid symptoms must self-isolate and get tested.

Shorter isolation periods, a greater use of medical masks, and an increased focus on antigen testing are among new measures set out in an updated official Covid-19 work safely protocol, published last week.

 

With daily infection numbers falling, there is mounting speculation that the Cabinet will today (Friday) approve a broader relaxation of Covid restrictions. But, in the meantime, the revised safely protocol continues to apply to  workplaces in all sectors of the economy.

 

The latest update says that fully-vaccinated and boosted close contacts no longer have to isolate for five days unless they are experiencing Covid symptoms. However, they must wear a medical or higher-grade mask for ten days, take regular antigen tests over seven days, and follow protective measures for ten days.

 

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) officials have agreed to consider a Fórsa request that employers provide both the tests and the masks in these situations, following a meeting last week. Further amendments to the DPER ‘frequently-asked questions that govern the application of Covid safety measures in the civil and public service are expected to issue as the situation changes.

 

Changes in the work safely protocol include:

 

Close contacts, boosted

  • Fully vaccinated and boosted close contacts, with no symptoms, no longer have to isolate for five days.
  • But they must wear a medical or higher-grade mask for ten days.
  • And they must take regular antigen tests over seven days, with the last test on day seven.
  • And they must follow protective measures for ten days. That means limiting close contacts, wearing an appropriate mask in crowded or enclosed spaces, taking an antigen test before entering crowded areas.

Close contacts, not boosted

  • Close contacts who have not received a booster jab must restrict their movements for seven days.
  • They must also wear a medical grade or FFP2 mask for ten days.
  • And they must take regular antigen tests over seven days, with the last test on day seven.
  • Close contacts with no symptoms who have recovered from a positive test result of Covid-19 since 1st December do not have to restrict movements or get tested.
  • But they must follow protective measures for ten days. That means limiting close contacts, wearing an appropriate mask in crowded or enclosed spaces, taking an antigen test before entering crowded areas.

Covid-19 cases and positive tests via antigen or PCR tests

  • The isolation period is reduced to seven days for those who have tested positive
  • But they must wear a well-fitted medical mask or a filtering face piece mask (FFP2) mask for 10 days.
  • And they must limit close contact with people outside of their household for 10 days, including seven days self-isolation).

Symptoms of Covid-19

  • Those who experience Covid symptoms must self-isolate and get tested.
  • Health care workers and others aged over 39 should seek a PCR test.
  • Other workers should use repeated antigen tests. Positive antigen tests are now regarded as definitive and should be registered on the HSE portal
  • Negative antigen tests results should also be registered on the HSE portal for information purposes.
  • Those who have experienced symptoms should continue to self-isolate until 48 hours after the symptoms have resolved.
  • And they should wear a medical grade or FFP2 mask (for those with symptoms).

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