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NPHET recommends facemasks for children aged 9 and older

Up until now, children aged under 13 have been mostly exempt from having to wear face coverings indoors.

LAST UPDATE | 25 Nov 2021

THE NATIONAL PUBLIC Health Emergency Team has recommended to Government that masks should be worn by children who are aged nine and older, it is understood. 

Up until now, children aged under 13 have been mostly exempt from having to wear face coverings in indoor settings, with healthcare settings, Covid test centres, and children under 13 who are attending secondary school deemed as exceptions. 

This latest advice means that children aged 9-12 will now be advised to wear masks indoors in settings such as shops, it is understood.

‘Further restrictions’

Earlier today, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that further restrictions may be needed before Christmas to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

The Tánaiste said case numbers may be starting to plateau or peak, but added that he would like to see them fall ahead of the holiday season.

He said it would be a “big mistake” if the Government imposed new restrictions in the coming days to find out that the country has “turned a corner anyway”.

Fine Gael leader told RTÉ’s Claire Byrne Live that restrictions may need to be increased coming into the Christmas period, but the Government would try to avoid a full lockdown.

“I think we may need more restrictions heading into the Christmas period but I don’t think we need to be fatalistic about a return to any form of lockdown or even a ‘lockdown light’, and I think we should try to avoid that,” Varadkar said.

He added that the behaviour changes people have made in recent weeks are helping stem the spread of the virus, and the third dose of the vaccine is also making a difference.

Varadkar added that he believes the outcome of today’s meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) would be further advice regarding children.

NPHET is set to meet today to consider the current situation with the virus and its advice to the government.

The Tánaiste defended the government’s position that schools are safer than other environments – a message that has been iterated by ministers and health officials, though Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said yesterday that health officials “never said schools are safe”.

“There’s no place that’s 100% place in a pandemic other than having no contact with anyone ever,” Varadkar said.

“But as far as places go, schools are safe,” he said, adding that he believes children are safer in schools than at someone’s house or an extra-curricular activity.

This afternoon, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) gave the green light for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be given to children aged five to 11.

The dose for the children would be lower compared to older age groups and would be given as two injections in the upper arm.

Speaking a couple of hours ahead of the announcement, the Tánaiste said: “We expect a decision soon from the EMA on allowing us to offer vaccines to children in that age group”

“That’s an important thing to do once we get the go ahead for that and that will help a lot.”

He said that NPHET and HIQA are examining whether there are additional actions to take in schools – “for example, primary school children being asked to wear masks”.

“[That is] something we haven’t wanted to do up to now because it’s very hard to ask young kids to do that, but it might be in their interest.”

During Leaders’ Questions today, Varadkar defended the PCR testing system, stating that it is at its highest level.

Buying a ticket to see Garth Brooks is easier than booking an appointment for a Covid-19 test, Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty said.

It has been “impossible” to book a PCR test in most counties as demand soared in recent weeks.

The HSE’s self-referral portal shows no availability in almost 20 counties.

Doherty said some people have offered to swap concert tickets for a PCR test.

“I’m sure we’ve all seen the comments on social media, the bit of banter about how it’s easier to get Garth Brooks tickets in the state than it is to get a PCR test,” Doherty told the Dail

“Others are posting that they’ve got Garth Brooks tickets and are willing to swap for a PCR slot.

“While that might be a bit of light banter, the reality is very, very serious.

“It’s impossible to book a PCR test in most of this state.

“In Dublin there is no slots available, Carlow none, Cork, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Meath, Offaly, Meath, Tipperary, Waterford, West Meath, Wexford or Wicklow.

Varadkar said there has been an “extremely high and sustained” demand for tests in recent weeks, compounded by people suffering other respiratory illnesses.

“It is necessary for us to prioritise and to adjust testing criteria in order to prioritise those most in need of a test,” he added.

“The system is operating in excess of surge capacity.”

Professor Mary Horgan, the president of the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland and a member of NPHET, also said today that masks in primary schools may need to be considered.

“We know for the past few months that the incidence of infection in primary school children is higher than the rest of the population,” Professor Horgan said.

Speaking on Morning Ireland, she said that “firstly, they are a group that haven’t been vaccinated, we know how effective vaccines are” and “secondly, they still don’t use masks, the rest of the population do”.

“We want to reduce the infection as much as we possibly can,” Professor Horgan said.

With reporting by Lauren Boland and Christina Finn

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    Mute windbag
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:45 AM

    Two of my friends work for two different companies in the city centre and they have been told to work from home till January. Not only that but come January there companies have said more than likely they will be in office 2 days a week and home 3 forever…. They are delighted…

    247
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    Mute ed w
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:24 PM

    @windbag: were been told September. but as my broadband coverage of any kind is terrible I cant wait to go back and work properly although a couple of days a week might work.

    38
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    Mute Forest Hump
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    Jun 8th 2020, 5:03 PM

    @ed w: makes sense, this should’ve been put in place years ago. Better for the environment, better for workers and there will be almost no impact to most businesses. Cafes/restaurants may lose out though

    24
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    Mute Disabled Junkie
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:22 PM

    If this pandemic has taught us anything it’s remote working is practical and should become part of the “new normal” where possible. Hopefully the days of having to commute to the office just to be seen are behind us.

    136
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    Mute Rochelle
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:34 AM

    This is what the “open up for business” crowd don’t seem to understand, most customers aren’t interested and want to avoid unessential visits and shopping.

    131
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    Mute Sven Gilmore
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:20 AM

    The money just isn’t there folks!!!

    71
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    Mute Cynical
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:29 AM
    52
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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Jun 8th 2020, 1:34 PM

    @Cynical: oh shuttup

    36
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    Mute Dave Nomates
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    Jun 8th 2020, 4:42 PM

    @Cynical:
    AGAIN, TAKEN FROM A FACE MASK BOX.

    THIS PRODUCT IS AN EAR LOOP MASK.
    IT IS NOT A RESPIRATOR AND WILL NOT PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST COVID-19 (CORONA VIRUS) OR OTHER VIRUSES OR CONTAMINANTS.

    6
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    Mute Cynical
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    Jun 8th 2020, 4:50 PM

    @Sam Greene: Bless you, its a cornerstone for all the other countries that are currently re-opening and could allow us to reduce the 2 meter distance.

    Also expressly recommended by the World Health Organisation:
    ‘The World Health Organization has said that people in Ireland should get into the habit of wearing face coverings, even if it’s not mandatory to do so.’
    https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0606/1145825-coronavirus-facemasks-who/

    I’ll just wait here while you find a link for a Facebook group that links mask wearing to developing autism.

    7
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    Mute Cynical
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    Jun 8th 2020, 4:57 PM

    @Dave Nomates: Stop shouting! You do realise that is a legal disclaimer to protect from anyone that does contract the disease from claiming from them? Masks are not perfect, but they are much better than no protection.

    Depending on the type of mask used, they are between 77% and 96% effective at stopping transmission.
    https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31142-9/fulltext
    https://www.livescience.com/face-masks-eye-protection-covid-19-prevention.html

    5
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    Mute Isabel Oliveira
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:01 PM

    No widespread usage of masks in buses is ridiculous. Absolutely reckless.

    75
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    Mute Eugene Tyson
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:38 AM

    So… buses were less busy as they returned to normal-ish operating hours.

    Basically, they were busier when there was fewer buses. Which means returning to normal is the right thing to do, with fewer people on buses because there are more buses, is a good thing right?

    Give it a week and it will be crazy again. Especially with more workers returning. Increased traffic will be huge as more people won’t want to get public transport, and take their cars instead.

    Once the schools and colleges are back it will be bedlam. Typically when schools and colleges are off the traffic is ok anyway.

    48
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    Mute Eileen O'Sullivan
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:51 AM

    @Eugene Tyson: that’s a logical analysis. really well argued.

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    Mute Dave Nomates
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:21 AM

    Great to see the majority of right thinking people refuse to wear a stupid mask,
    Insert Idiotic reply below.

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    Mute Robert
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:24 AM

    @Dave Nomates: have a nap Dave

    109
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    Mute Fabio Dillon
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:27 AM

    @Dave Nomates: masks greatly reduce the spread of droplets which is what spreads flu.

    If you disagree you disagree. Majority agree. Including any doctor or biologist you will speak to.

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    Mute Eugene Tyson
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:39 AM

    @Dave Nomates: Wear the mask, it’s only a mask.

    50
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    Mute Eileen O'Sullivan
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:50 AM

    @Eugene Tyson: Dave’s face covering of choice is no doubt a balaclava.

    42
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    Mute David Jordan
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:51 AM

    @Dave Nomates: Peer review research found that people who refuse to comply with social distancing guidelines e.g. wear masks, are more likely to be psychopathic and narcissistic:

    “Psychopathic traits linked to non-compliance with social distancing guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic”

    New research provides some initial evidence that certain antagonistic personality traits are associated with ignoring preventative measures meant to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

    The study has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication in the journal Social Psychology and Personality Science. It is currently available on the PsyArXiv preprint website.

    “One potential implication from this research is that there may be a minority of people with particular personality styles (on the narcissism and psychopathy spectrum) that have a disproportionate impact on the pandemic by failing to protect themselves and others.”

    https://www.psypost.org/2020/06/psychopathic-traits-linked-to-non-compliance-with-social-distancing-guidelines-amid-the-coronavirus-pandemic-56980

    46
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    Mute NotMyIreland
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:52 AM

    @Dave Nomates: So childish. “stupid mask”

    30
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    Mute Kate Flaherty
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:54 AM

    @Dave Nomates: here’s an idiotic reply for you Braveheart, how comfortable would you be on public transport should the person beside you start to cough or sneeze and have the same idiotic attitude as yourself and choose not to wear a mask?, do you actually believe people are happy about having to wear a mask?, probably not but they do it out of respect and regard for others, so the next time you see someone wearing a mask just think they’re wearing it to protect not only themselves but you too…

    47
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    Mute Delboy79
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:19 PM

    @David Jordan: bit OTT there David . Some people are just self conscious about attracting attention/looks by wearing a mask . It’s not the norm yet . I find myself unintentionally looking at people in Tesco who are wearing a mask .

    11
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:57 PM

    @Dave Nomates: Nothing can top your idiotic remark

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    Mute SaveTheTrees
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    Jun 8th 2020, 1:18 PM

    Staggering the opening hours for retail was a great idea, props

    17
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    Mute conex
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:42 PM

    Them numbers will quadruple…….on dole day !

    14
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    Mute Mislav Smok
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    Jun 8th 2020, 3:49 PM

    Aha you will see how many people will lose jobs now. But stay home fake virus

    8
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    Mute Evelyn Keely
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    Jun 8th 2020, 2:46 PM

    I beg to differ it is very busy frightenly so Luas is a hell of a lot busier I live in the city centre and can see a huge difference in footfall and transport I appriciate some are on their way to or from work but not all…just stay safe if coming into town…

    7
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