The Health Minister says he wants COVID-19 restrictions lifted at the earliest possible opportunity.
Stephen Donnelly said he wouldn't speculate on what NPHET will decide after its meeting on Thursday - saying he doesn't want to give people "false hope" that could be dashed.
There's hope in Government health officials will recommend an easing of restrictions around hospitality and live events.
Rules currently in place include the 8pm curfew for indoor venues and capacity limits for both indoor and outdoor events.
On The Pat Kenny Show, Minister Donnelly says he doesn't want restrictions lasting any longer than they need to.
He said Omicron brought a "tsunami of cases" of COVID-19 but the country has coped.
He said: “We’re in a very good position - cases are falling, hospitalisations are falling, and critical care has remained steady the whole way through. We’re in a very good position to be having this conversation.
“I don’t think it would be fair for me to be giving people hope or false hope that might get dashed at the end of the week.
“I believe we have a duty to relinquish [emergency] powers and to end the difficult restrictions the moment the public health rationale is no longer in support of them.”
He added there needs to be an “absolutely clear” public health rationale for any continued restrictions - otherwise, they should be dispensed with "at the earliest possible opportunity".
Minister Donnelly said it's important to not move too quickly and squander any gains that have been made.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says he wants COVID-19 restrictions lifted at the earliest possible opportunity on @PatKennyNT pic.twitter.com/gqgyVJvy2Q
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) January 18, 2022
Asked whether a booster or recovery cert could be a requirement for accessing indoor events, Minister Donnelly said they first need to work out if there's a rationale for COVID cert use continuing at all.
He said: "If it is, it probably does require the booster to be reflected at some point.
“It would have to be at the point where everyone who wants a booster has been offered a booster. We’re getting close to that.”
Minister Donnelly said around 2.6 million booster doses have been administered.
He said out of 83 people in intensive care last Friday, only one-in-five had a booster - while nearly three-in-five were fully unvaccinated.
Of the people who’ve had a booster in ICU, the Health Minister said the “vast majority” are people who are more susceptible to COVID either through age or underlying conditions.
