We hope this message finds you well.

We are grateful for your continuing support in helping to share information about COVID-19. Below are a few communications updates for you.

Public Health Measures

Ireland is now at Level 5. You can see all of the measures that are in place at Level 5 here.

Face coverings or masks are superior to visors as a measure for prevention of transmission of COVID-19

The HSE would like to remind everyone that cloth face coverings or masks are superior to visors as a measure for prevention of transmission of COVID-19. Expert opinion and international guidance indicates that cloth face coverings or masks are more effective than visors.

There is evidence that visors reduce exposure to droplets to a certain extent compared with no face covering. They may be an alternative in certain limited circumstances including:

• People with breathing difficulties
• People who are unable to remove masks/face coverings without help
• Anyone with particular needs who may feel upset or very uncomfortable wearing the mask/face covering
• In settings where people who have learning difficulties or hard of hearing or deaf are present.

For more information, please see the HSE’s face coverings page and the Brief Evidence Summary: Efficacy of visors compared with masks in the prevention of transmission of COVID-19 in non-healthcare settings. 

We would be grateful if would share this information with your teams and stakeholders.

BreastCheck Screening Resumes

The BreastCheck programme resumed screening on October 27^th, after being paused in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new BreastCheck campaign, which starts on November 16^th, highlights the restart of breast screening. The campaign provides information on some changes to breast screening appointments, including new COVID-19 safety measures, using text messages to confirm details of the appointment and asking those who can’t make their appointment to let us know. The ads will run on video on demand and YouTube with an animated video, as well as a radio ad on national and local radio stations. We encourage all those who are invited to attend for screening. Please see the attached partner pack for further information.

Traveller COVID-19 Resources

In response to COVID-19, resources have been developed nationally by the Traveller Health Units (THUs) and Traveller groups and are available on the Traveller COVID-19 Resources page.

International Men’s Day Webinar: Men’s Mental Health in these Challenging Times

The International Men’s Day webinar will take on the 19^th November at 11am, and focus on men’s mental health in these challenging COVID-19 times. This HSE/Healthy Ireland webinar is in partnership with the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland and the Centre for Men’s Health in IT Carlow. You can register for the webinar here. 

Public Health Information

As always, for the most up to date information and advice on Coronavirus, please go to: https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/. Clinical and professional guidance relating to COVID-19 is available on www.hpsc.ie where you’ll find up to date guidance for healthcare settings and non-clinical settings. 

Please also check here for the most up to date partner resources for COVID-19.

You can view the latest information on how Ireland is responding to cases of COVID-19 here.

If your organisation has any requests in relation to COVID-19 public health information materials, please email us at Partner.Pack@hse.ie to let us know.  

We wish you good health and wellness.

Many thanks,

COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement
HSE Communications