Nobody can rule anything out when it comes to managing COVID-19 and other viruses this winter.

Chief Clinical Officer with the HSE Dr Colm Henry was speaking after the health body announced a €169 million Winter Plan.

It will include additional capacity in acute and community services, like increasing staff and extending opening hours of local injury units.

It will also see implementation of a Pandemic Preparedness Plan in the event of a significant COVID surge.

'Nobody can rule anything out'

Dr Henry told Newstalk Breakfast anything is possible, including new measures on mask wearing.

"Masks haven't gone away," he said. "They're obligatory for healthcare staff in healthcare facilities, they're advised on public transport.

"That's very rarely seen certainly, but it still remains advice that if you are vulnerable, or you're near somebody who is vulnerable, or you're in a vulnerable setting or there's a lot of congestion - that you should wear a mask.

Passengers with and without face masks sitting on a Luas tram at the Red Line at Jervis Street Dublin, 28-02-2022. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

"Of course, nobody can rule anything out, and the Government have had this provision in place should we see a sharp escalation of cases, for example should a new variant of concern come along."

Dr Henry said they also have new ways of tracking outbreaks.

"With the surveillance system we have now - which looks at wastewater facilities, trends in respiratory infections presenting to hospitals, trends presenting to General Practitioners - there is, as yet, no sign here or abroad of a new variant of concern.

"That's something we can take some consolation from," he added.