October 22nd is reported as the date set by Nphet to end the tracing of the majority of adult cases' contacts.
The new proposals allow for triggering of contact tracing in the case of specific outbreaks or clusters of cases. The routine use of contact tracing will end however.
A decision was made this week to end contact tracing of asymptomatic cases in Ireland's schools. Nphet will monitor the results of this action before making a final decision on whether to end adult contact tracing.
Earlier this month contact tracing was ended on flights, a situation which will also be monitored by Nphet.
Despite asymptomatic close contacts being allowed to return to the classroom, the infection rate among primary school pupils isn't expected to rise.
Close to 1,000 people are currently employed in the field of contact tracing within the HSE. In August over 13,000 cases a week were being contacted, with 31,000 close contacts notified to HSE staff.
With over 90% of the adult population now fully vaccinated, the plan to end contact tracing is another step towards a return to normality.
October 22nd will see most remaining pandemic restrictions lifted, barring a rise in the virus's incidence rate.
