Readers should note that advice is changing regularly as a result in a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases and the latest information is posted to gov.ie.
Ireland is moving to Level 5
Level 5 restrictions have been announced by the government and will come into affect nationally from midnight 24 December until 12 January 2021. Here is the announcement from Tuesday, 22 December.
Keeping well this winter campaign
The Keeping well this winter campaign is running across many media channels including TV, digital and social, radio and local press. The HSE has also distributed a Keeping well this winter guide with lots of tips and advice to two million households in Ireland.
This year the HSE is encouraging people, particularly our older population and those caring for them, to prepare for their winter health needs as best they can and to know that the health service is available when they need it. Please see the information pack containing details of the new campaign. Information and resources are also available here.
New Visitation Guidance for Nursing Homes
On 30 November 2020, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) published new COVID-19 Guidance on Visitations to Long Term Residential Care Facilities. The new guidance aims to further support long-term residential care services (including nursing homes) and residents in planning visits across all levels of the framework for restrictive measures in the Government’s Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. The new guidance also includes further advice recognising that major cultural or religious festivals, such as Christmas, are of significance for residents and their families.
Managing a Covid-19 infection at home
This HPSC guidance is available here.
New Covid-19 webpage for staff working in residential care settings
If you deliver care to older people in a residential care setting, please check out the new webpage. This has been set up as a central point of contact for residential care facilities to access up to date clinical guidance, information, and links to inform care and supports in these settings.
Information leaflet for new Traveller mothers
The HSE and Pavee Point have developed a leaflet for new mothers about Covid-19 and how to protect themselves and their babies, and what to do if they have symptoms. The ‘Information for Pavee Mothers and Babies’ leaflet is available here.
Covid-19 Guidance for Religious Services
This HPSC guidance is available here.
Irish Sign Language (ISL) videos on Self-isolation and Restricted Movements
A number of helpful videos are available to view through the links below.
These videos, along with other resources, are all available on the COVID-19 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communications Resources page.
HSE and Age Action launch older-age friendly guide to Covid Tracker App
On Tuesday, 8 December 2020, the HSE and Age Action Ireland launched an older-age friendly guide – How to Use the COVID Tracker App. The guide is part of Age Action Ireland’s Getting Started KIT which supports learning and the use of technology and digital services. People can also contact Age Action Ireland by phone on 01 873 0372 and they will post a free copy of the guide.
Covid-19: Interim recommendations for sports activities for children and adolescents in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic
This document, available to download here, summarises interim recommendations for sport for children and adolescents up to 18 years old during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Covid-19 World Service: Translate Ireland from Covid19 World Service, provides updated multilingual Covid-19 video messages. All scripts have been approved by the Irish College for General Practitioners. Please also see the HSE’s National Social Inclusion Office Migrant Resource page and all HSE COVID-19 translated resources.
Public Health Information
For the most up to date information and advice on Coronavirus, please click here.
Clinical and professional guidance relating to Covid-19 is available on the HPSC website where you’ll find up to date guidance for healthcare settings and non-clinical settings.
Please check here for the most up to date partner resources for Covid-19.
Please also check the Healthy Ireland website for further resources and information on the Keep Well campaign.
