The HSE has announced that Covid-19 community testing centres will close nationwide from Thursday. In a statement, the HSE said the online self-referral portal for ordering PCR tests will also be closed.
It said the decision was made following updated public health advice, which states that Covid-19 testing is "no longer recommended for the vast majority of people".
The HSE National Director for Public Health, Dr John Cuddihy, said that the changes are being made "on best available evidence in relation to managing Covid-19".
He said that if people have Covid-19 symptoms or other viral respiratory tract infections, they do not need a Covid-19 test and should instead stay at home and limit their contact with others until 48 hours after the symptoms have resolved.