Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet), will not be immediately disbanded, and he warned despite the loosening of Covid-19 restrictions “the pandemic isn't over”. Mr Varadkar said the Government “will make a decision on the Nphet advice no later than Tuesday”, and he said, “Nphet isn't being stood down just yet, it will fade away, but it’s also a body that can be reconstituted”. It’s important to say the pandemic isn’t over, and the (virus’s) positivity rate is still very high; I’m hearing of people I know everyday who are still testing positive with Covid-19. Mr Varadkar said PCR testing will be available predominantly for “senior citizens and medically vulnerable people”. Mr Varadkar said over 20,000 new homes were built in Ireland last year, 30,000 began construction and nearly 40,000 went through planning permission.

Source: Irish Examiner February 19, 2022 04:02 UTC