Mask up and wash your hands.

That’s the sage advice the government is relying on for the time being, despite a fresh surge in Covid-19 infections that Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has described as “very concerning”.

A further 3,726 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Ireland in the past 24 hours, the highest daily figure recorded since January 14th.

However, speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time Minister Donnelly said the plan, as it stands, is to step up booster vaccines and extend emergency legislation around face coverings and Covid passes until spring.

Asked by RTE broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan whether Ireland needs to “put the brakes on” and bring back in restrictions, Donnelly said there were no plans to do so:

“We’re not contemplating [reintroducing restrictions] at the moment and there is no discussion about that. Because we have a plan that we know can work,” he said.

“We’re in a place where we have to be concerned about the burden and impact that this level of disease is having and could have on social care services in the coming weeks and months. We’re already seeing the cancellation of procedures and operations across the country. And we have to be concerned that things will deteriorate further,”