Press release
Minister for Health signs regulations to make Covid-19 a Notifiable Disease
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Today, (Thursday 20 February 2020), Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD signed the 'Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2020' to include Covid-19 on the existing list of notifiable diseases.
This will oblige doctors to routinely notify the HSE when a case of Covid-19 is diagnosed.
Minister for Health Simon Harris TD said:
"Ireland is well positioned to detect and respond to a case of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) that might arise here. This measure, to include Covid-19 on the list of notifiable diseases, is common practice when dealing with a newly emerging infectious disease. This was also done for the SARS epidemic in 2002."
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan said:
"Ireland's public health response to Covid-19 remains unchanged. We are in a containment phase. Anyone returning from China in the last 14 days, and experiencing symptoms associated with Covid-19 (Coronavirus), is instructed to self- isolate and contact the health service via phone or email."
ENDS
Covid-19 (Coronavirus) is spread through contact and droplets so good cough and sneeze hygiene, with regular hand washing, is the best way to keep well.
The general public is encouraged to inform themselves on prevention measures issued by HSE and to follow HPSC for regular daily updates.