Cabinet to sign off on laws to make mask-wearing mandatory in certain settings

Cabinet has also approved laws to abolish both overnight and day-case public in-patient charges for children under 16 years of age in all public hospitals

It is understood that no specific settings are mentioned, however, the legislation will allow for the reintroduction of masks if the virus continues to spread rapidly. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

The Cabinet is due to sign off on the drafting of legislation that would allow for the reintroduction of mandatory face masks in some settings.

As Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations rise again, the memo, brought forward by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, has been described as a precautionary.