Rapid covid antigen testing at sporting events, concerts, cinemas and weddings is being recommended as part of a major role out of the scheme.
A group in the Department of Health says pilot programmes should be established in settings like workplaces, schools and nursing homes.
While antigen testing has been used for months in many countries, it has only recently been approved in the EU.
The hope is the new tests will help officials identify Covid cases faster, allowing outbreaks to be quickly suppressed.
The report recommends that various sectors and industries, including business, sports and education, should work in partnership with government departments to pilot and initiate widespread feasibility studies with a view to making rapid testing part of Ireland’s collective and sustained response to COVID-19.
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, said:
“I would like to thank Professor Mark Ferguson for his enormous contribution. I would also like to thank all other members of the expert group who drafted the report, at what is an exceptionally busy time for the medical and scientific communities. Various international and national experts also contributed. This is a fast-developing and exciting field. New and improved rapid test systems are emerging all the time and I firmly support the introduction of rapid testing as an additional tool in our collective effort against COVID-19.”
