The INMO has suggested a return to masks in crowded settings, amidst a surge in respiratory viruses.
A virologist professor believes it's too late to re-introduce a mandatory mask mandate.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called for the return to masks in crowded setting following record-high trolley numbers.
The Health Minister says it's not being considered, despite high levels of flu, Covid and RSV accounting for more than 1,200 hospitalisations last week.
Assistant Professor of Virology at UCD, Athlone's Gerald Barry says if masks were going to be brought back, it should've been done weeks ago: