Irish Times view on new Covid-19 restrictions: fire-fighting is not enough

Another rampant Covid surge, another new variant with unknown implications, another round of restrictions. Children, parents and travellers are bearing the brunt after the Cabinet approved new measures to try to hold back the tide of infection. Young pupils are asked to wear masks at school and to curtail indoor play with pals. Visitors will need negative virus tests to enter the State.

These steps will inconvenience many and the extent to which they can achieve their aim is an open question. Yet compliance is in our mutual interest amid uncertainty over the potency of the new Omicron variant and in the shadow of its highly-transmissible Delta predecessor. It is worth repeating that the overriding goal is to keep schools and the economy open and to avert any drastic travel bans. That is an objective which will rightly command public support although the efficacy of the latest measures must be closely monitored and they should remain in force only for as long as is absolutely necessary.

How quickly the outlook has changed and progress made on foot of a remarkable vaccine programme has been set off track. As more and more people received the jab and some semblance of normality returned, the prospect of new curbs to face down yet another emergency seemed a distant threat. Wrong. The fourth wave of infections has turned the tide and with dispiriting ease.

This has prompted a renewed focus on the grinding psychodrama between the Government and officials in the National Public Health Emergency Team. Credibility has taken a knock because of muddled messaging – not least differences over the efficacy of antigen testing. As the third year of the pandemic looms and so much remains unknown, some of that is understandable and there is no questioning the endeavour and commitment of those involved. There may be no avoiding the headlong rush to make policy afresh as the situation worsens rapidly but there are lessons too. Additional Covid variants seem certain to upend even the most carefully plotted plans to reopen society. That the latest restrictions were already on the way even before Omicron emerged into the open speaks volumes.

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Much is beyond the control of the Government – or leaders anywhere – but not everything. Faced with resilient disease, the State needs more resilience. With that comes the flexibility to respond to new waves without creating an air of panic and drift. That includes extra intensive care beds to reduce the prospect of hospital chaos. Escalating testing and tracing is also within the Government’s grasp; likewise more extensive genome sequencing. And more can be done too to expedite booster vaccinations. Now more than ever, medium-term planning and preparation is essential. We are in this for the long haul and firefighting is not enough.