Ministers are to approve a number of changes to the Covid testing regime and rules around close contacts this morning.
The Chief Medical Officer has recommended getting rid of the five day isolation period for close contacts of a confirmed case who have had a booster.
People who test positive on an antigen test now won’t need a further PCR test to confirm it in a bid to free up space in the system.
Anyone who tests positive will have to isolate for seven days regardless of whether they’ve had a booster.
While close contacts who have yet to be boosted will also face seven days of isolation.
Separately Minister Catherine Martin will publish the text of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill which will establish an Online Safety Commissioner.
The new watchdog will be tasked with regulating harmful content online and will be allowed to fine non-compliant companies up to 20 million euro or 10 per cent of turnover.
This would cover breaches relating to criminal material, serious cyber-bullying and content promoting self-harm, suicide and eating disorders.
The Commissioner will also take over the regulation of TV and radio stations as well as online streaming platforms like Netflix.
