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24 February 2022
COVID-19 - member update
The government has announced that the current epidemiological profile of COVID-19 in Ireland continues to provide a broadly stable and positive outlook. Therefore, from 28 February, some COVID-19 restrictions will change, including ending the mandatory use of face masks in most settings.
Nevertheless, the Departments of the Taoiseach and Health have jointly advised the population to stay safe by wearing masks in healthcare settings in line with evolving national guidance.
FODO, The Association of Eye Care Providers in Ireland, endorses this advice for the protection of staff, patients and the wider population.
So, members should continue to follow existing IPC guidance and use PPE in accordance with current sector guidelines.
You can encourage customers to use face coverings, especially in consulting rooms and during close personal contact, but this should not be required as a condition of service. A customer might be unable to use a face covering for many reasons.
This should be respected and any risk mitigated through other IPC measures.
The government has also advised that from 28 February the following advice will apply to people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, and their close contacts.
If you have a confirmed COVID-19 infection
| Age | Mask you should wear | Isolation |
| 13 years and older | Medical grade or FFP2 for 10 days | 7 days |
| 0-12 years | Well-fitted mask (9-12yrs) for 10 days | 7 days |
If you have symptoms of COVID-19
| Who | Testing requirement |
| If you are aged 55 years and older and unboosted | Self-isolate and get a PCR test. Follow public health advice on test result |
| If you have a high-risk medical condition | Self-isolate and get a PCR test. Follow public health advice on test result |
| If you are immunocompromised | Self isolate and get a PCR test. Follow public health advice on test result |
| If you live in the same household as a person who is immunocompromised | Self-isolate and get a PCR test. Follow public health advice on test result |
| If you provide care or support for a person they know to be immunocompromised | Self-isolate and get a PCR test. Follow public health advice on test result |
| If you are pregnant | Self-isolate and get a PCR test. Follow public health advice on test result |
| All others | No test required but self-isolate until 48 hours after symptoms resolve |
If you are a close contact
| Who | Testing requirement |
| If you are a healthcare worker identified as a household close contact | Repeat antigen testing is required, unless you have recovered from COVID-19 in previous three months |
| All other close contacts | No test required if not symptomatic, self-isolate if symptoms develop |
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