A serial systemic programme of Covid-19 testing is to be carried out at meat plants around the country as well as in direct provision centres, the Taoiseach has announced. 

The programme will initially be carried out weekly, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin said, “with a view to making sure that we can keep the pressure on this virus, identify it, isolate it and deal with it.”

The Taoiseach noted that such a testing programme had proved particularly successful within nursing homes, and would also continue in these settings.

The announcement followed a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 earlier today to discuss the latest situation on the outbreak.

Following the meeting, the Taoiseach also announced that the Government is to begin work on a new ‘medium-term’ Covid-19 plan to guide the country through the next six to nine months.

He said the committee will meet again next week with a view to have a more substantial discussion on the new plan ‘for the next phase of living with Covid-19’.