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The Health Service Executive is to issue new guidance that will allow people to wear their high grade FFP2/N95 masks at vaccination and testing centres.
HSE lead on the vaccination programme Damian McCallion said a number of people raised the concern, which the HSE would be addressing and issuing new guidance on.
It comes amid the growing concerns about the more transmissible Omicron variant with many people using these high grade masks instead of the disposable surgical masks.
However at many HSE vaccination and testing centres people were being told to remove their FFP2/N95 masks to replace with a fresh disposable surgical mask.
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Asked on Newstalk Radio if people will be allowed wear FFP2/N95 masks, Mr McCallion said that “effectively they would”.
Mr McCallion said the HSE will be bringing testing capacity up to 285,000 per week amid huge demand for appointments. He urged people to keep checking for appointments, which would be released during the day.
Asked about testing capacity over Christmas, Mr McCallion said 25 centres will be open on Christmas Day and 30 on St Stephen’s Day.
He siad the HSE was working with public health officials for a plan for prioritising people if the system is maxed out