People should be able to report positive antigen results "within the next few days", the Health Minister says.
The Government and HSE are working on an online portal that will allow people in certain age groups to upload their positive antigen test results - meaning they will no longer need to go for a confirmatory PCR test.
Currently, people aged 4-39 with symptoms of COVID-19 are told to take an antigen test and only seek a PCR test if they have a positive result.
That latter requirement will be removed as part of a range of changes to the rules around isolation periods and close contacts.
It has also been confirmed that asymptomatic boosted close contacts of confirmed cases will no longer have to restrict their movements.
Isolation periods for confirmed cases are also set to be reduced from 10 days to seven days.
Cabinet’s due to sign off on the plans at their meeting today, and the rules could be relaxed as early as this week.
Speaking ahead of that Cabinet meeting, Minister Stephen Donnelly admitted there is an element of risk to the changes.
He said: “We’re always balancing these things.
“Undoubtedly, if we relax the rules on close contacts it does add an element of risk.
“But I think what we’re really seeing now is an endorsement of the booster campaign and the national effort… people stepped up in an incredible way.”
On the antigen test online portal, Minister Donnelly said that will be up and running shortly.
He said: “The HSE is just working through the final logistics and technical requirements. But it will be a very positive step in the right direction.”
He noted people will also be able to upload details of their close contacts alongside the antigen test results.
For now, the Government has ruled out restrictions being eased this week - although senior ministers have ruled out any further easing of restrictions, such as the 8pm curfew for hospitality, this week.
Minister Donnelly said there are encouraging signs about the number of COVID patients in ICU, but it’s still too early to make any definitive statements.
He said there’s still likely 400,000-500,000 new COVID-19 cases in Ireland a week, despite just a fraction of that being recorded in the official figures.
However, he added that he’s “encouraged” by how hospitals are coping with the Omicron wave so far.
