Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said there is always the possibility of restrictions being reintroduced but the aim is to "get through winter without having to do that".
Speaking in Limerick at the formal opening of a new Edwards Lifesciences plant, the Minister for Enterprise added: "We want to get through this winter without imposing restrictions. "That's why we're asking people to work with us, to get vaccinated, get a booster if they are over 60 and wear a mask as appropriate." Mr Varadkar said it is becoming increasingly clear that "Covid is going to be with us forever, it's going to become an endemic virus that is seasonal in nature".