Health Minister says restrictions must go if there’s no public health rationale

Public health chiefs are set to meet next week to assess the epidemiological picture, with a phased reopening of society on the cards in February

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said pandemic restrictions must only remain in place if there is a strong public health rationale for them (PA)

Pandemic restrictions must only remain in place if there is a strong public health rationale for them, the Health Minister has said.

Despite record high case numbers driven by the Omicron variant, hospital and critical care figures have remained stable amid high levels of vaccination and natural immunity.