CMO 'scaring the bejaysus out of people' and booster drive will avoid lockdown, say ministers

Chief medical officer Tony Holohan has presented 'rock-solid' evidence that a large cohort of people are currently using antigen tests, even though they have Covid-19 symptoms, say senior Cabinet sources. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

A combination of chief medical officer Tony Holohan “scaring the bejaysus out of people” and an acceleration of the booster campaign will spare the country from another lockdown, Cabinet ministers are hoping.

Government ministers told the Irish Examiner they are confident the stark warnings from the National Public Health Emergency Team
(Nphet) will be sufficient to force a change in people’s behaviour.