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Infectious disease expert Professor Sam McConkey has called for the introduction of a legally mandatory quarantine for people who have contracted Covid-19.
This would be possible under the 1947 Health Act, which was used to stop the spread of tuberculosis, he told Newstalk Breakfast.
People who had tested positive for Covid-19 along with their close contacts would be legally required to stay in their home, which would mean that restrictions could be lifted for the rest of society, Professor McConkey added.
Most of the people who tested positive behaved as they should, but there was a small minority who did not and were a danger, he said.
“I don’t want to see a third wave in January or February.”
It was necessary to move away from general restrictions, he said.
There should be more test units, emerging test centers that could be sent to an area where there was an outbreak.
More expedited testing and detailed follow-up to identify contacts would make outbreak control easier, Professor McConkey said.
There should also be quick access to GPs and public health officials should be ready to go to an area or premises where there is an outbreak to assist managers or owners.
Reopening the retail sector when the country breaks out of level 5 could be managed very safely, he said.
“We can buy and sell things without Covid getting out of control. Done correctly, there doesn’t have to be an increase in transmission risk.”
As for sporting events, he said it was not the games themselves that were the problem, but the celebrations afterwards.
With space in large stadiums, it should be possible to manage entry and exit and spectators could sit well apart.
When asked what he wanted for Christmas, Professor McConkey replied “Jacinta Arden for Taoiseach.”
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