Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

On 28 February, public health measures fell, including the mandatory wearing of masks even though the public health advice was that we should maintain them on transport and in healthcare settings. We now have one of the most virulent Covid variants running rampant in our society with 1,600 patients in hospital, an increase of more than 40% in the past seven days. Last week, 5,200 staff were out sick with Covid. This week, according to Dr. Colm Henry, it is over 6,000. More hospitals are cancelling elective surgery which already has a serious backlog. Every Deputy has heard from constituents who are waiting. No masks are being worn on public transport. Has the Government discussed the increase in the number of people in our hospitals? If mask wearing cannot be made mandatory, could the Government not run an advertising campaign to encourage people wear masks on public transport even for four weeks?

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