The arguments in favour of a zero-Covid policy need to be taken seriously, according to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. He said one of the biggest stumbling blocks remains unimpeded travel between the North and Republic, and how this could be addressed. Mr Donnelly was speaking as talks resumed between the Irish Medical Organisation and the Department of Health over specialists in public health medicine contracts. Mr Donnelly said public health doctors have done “a bloody good job” at constantly "stepping up" during the pandemic and that what the country’s 90 or so full- and part-time specialists in public health medicine are doing is essential. He said a properly funded regional public health system would “absolutely” help with tackling virus outbreaks in general.

Source: Irish Examiner January 28, 2021 20:30 UTC