COVID-19 testing centres around the country will close their doors this Thursday.

The HSE is also closing the online self-referral portal as it moves forward with its 'Living With Covid' plan.

In a statement, the health service said the public health advice around COVID has changed and testing is no longer recommended for the vast majority of people.

Testing

HSE National Lead for test and trace Eileen Whelan told Newstalk that testing will still be available for people who may need it.

“People may require anti-viral therapy and the prescribing of Paxlovid and this will still be available through their General Practitioner,” she said.

“Public health may, in the event of any outbreak or any changing nature, decide that testing is required for specific groups in the population or maybe across residential long-term care settings or any areas where concern would be raised.”

COVID

She said the health service is now looking to manage the virus in the same way it does other viruses.

“The first testing centre was set up on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay on the LE Samuel Beckett and we have had many testing centres running across the country for the last three years,” she said.

“So now with the good uptake of vaccination and the population immunity acquired through both infection and vaccination and the changing nature of the virus, COVID-19 must now be managed similar to other respiratory illnesses.”

The HSE is advising anyone with symptoms of COVID or any other viral respiratory tract infection to stay at home and limit their contact with others until 48 hours after the symptoms have resolved.

A reduced contact tracing system will remain in place for people who test positive in settings like hospitals and long-term care facilities, where further transmission is like and could carry a serious public health risk.