Further COVID restrictions can still be avoided if we accelerate the booster programme and double down on the rules that are already in place, the Green Party leader has told The Hard Shoulder.

Eamon Ryan was speaking ahead of a meeting with the other Government coalition leaders, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) DR Tony Holohan and other health officials.

The meeting has been billed as an informal briefing with restrictions not expected to be discussed until NPHET makes recommendations later this week.

This evening, Dr Holohan warned that the Omicron variant now accounts for around 14% of Irish, with the proportion expected to “rise rapidly over the coming days”.

Minister Ryan said he does not expect to see schools or colleges closing in response to the variant.

“I don’t see our schools or colleges closing because, I think, one of the things we have seen from the lockdown is that actually that has a real impact on our children’s health – and their wellbeing and their education,” he said.

“I also think it is true that our schools have actually shown the ability, even in very in difficult and trying circumstances, to be a safe place.

“So, I don’t see the closing of schools as being the sort of response that makes sense.”

Asked whether he would stand firm if NPHET did advise Government to close schools, he said: “I would be strongly arguing that the wellbeing of our children is better managed by our schools staying open”.

“Our colleges as well. I think that is very important. A lot of those younger people, particularly in the last two years, they have missed out on a lot of socialisation. It has had a real impact and I think we will have to make sure they are not impacted in that way.”

Booster

He noted that Ireland’s premier weapon against the variant is the booster campaign.

“It is about getting all hands on deck as the Taoiseach said this morning, and making sure we get as many people with their third dose in advance of a wave coming,” he said.

“That will give better protection and it is really making sure we have those measure in place to manage what is going to be a difficult wave to address.”

Restrictions

Minister Ryan said people around the country bought into the idea that vaccines would protect us from the need for widespread restrictions.

“I think it is absolutely right to recognise that and double down on that as our immediate frontline defence response and that is the kind of feedback I will be giving [NPHET],” he said. “It goes both ways.”

He noted that any attempt to introduce tougher restrictions now could end up backfiring.

“If we did come down hard and heavy with everything – thou shalt not do this, thou shalt not do that – I am not so sure it would lead to a safer situation,” he said.

“Very easily, you could have people saying well if I am not going to go there, I am going to do it at home. There are ways in which we can protect people’s health here and it isn’t always about regulation.”

Omicron

He admitted that “you would never say never” and Omicron could still force further restrictions.

“If our hospital system comes under real threat then obviously you clearly have to protect it,” he said. “But I think we can do that with a combination of the booster scheme and the restrictions we have already put in place.

“It may involve further restrictions, but I don’t think focusing just on that as our primary response – the likes of shutting down schools or other sections of society – I am not so sure that would be the appropriate response at the time.”

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