Following the announcement of a change in guidance for people seeking Covid-19 PCR tests, the national newspapers are reporting on the latest measures amid the State's highest daily increase in confirmed cases of the virus.
The Irish Times leads with the measures for PCR testing, reporting that the HSE is hoping the changes will ease the pressure facing the testing system.
Sticking with Covid, the Irish Examiner reports the Government are coming under pressure to subsidise the cost of antigen tests following the recommendation that people aged 4-39 should only seek a PCR test if they first receive a positive result from an antigen test.
The paper's front page also carries a story on mother and baby homes, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin saying the Government has "no plans" to open up a redress scheme to all survivors.
A record-breaking day for daily Covid cases gives The Echo one of its front page stories, alongside a piece on Don O'Leary, the director of Cork Life Centre, who has been diagnosed with bone and lung cancer.
The Irish Independent and Irish Daily Mail both cover the changes to self-isolation rules for close contacts who have received a booster jab, or are fully vaccinated and have previously recovered from the virus.
The former also reports that Freedom of Information (FOI) figures show 65 former civil servants are receiving over €100,000 from pensions.
Today's Irish Sun front page. pic.twitter.com/p7dvq9o2Qa
— The Irish Sun (@IrishSunOnline) December 31, 2021
Advertisement
After British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was found guilty by a US jury of helping the late financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls, The Irish Sun reads: "Andy's out in the cold", quoting Lisa Bloom, a lawyer representing Jeffrey Epstein victims, that the Britain's Prince Andrew should be “quaking in his boots” following the verdict.
Morning readers! Stay with @BelTel for all your breaking news. Here's a look at the front page of today's Belfast Telegraph:https://t.co/3AlGJmrP8Y #Tellitlikeitis pic.twitter.com/XscjMdLWPy
— Belfast Telegraph (@BelTel) December 31, 2021
Advertisement
The Belfast Telegraph leads with a plea from Stormont ministers, urging people in the North to take antigen tests if they plan on going out to celebrate the New Year.
Ministers in the North met on Thursday, deciding the self-isolation period for confirmed cases should be reduced to seven days, while no further restrictions were imposed.
Meanwhile in Britain, the front pages report mounting pressure on Prince Andrew while a shortage of Covid tests continue to cause problems.
The Daily Mail, the i and The Daily Telegraph all lead with Lisa Bloom's comments on Prince Andrew, with the Telegraph's headline reading: "Duke told he will face justice after Maxwell verdict".
MAIL: ‘Andrew should be quaking in his boots’ #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/oLyWq631ju
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) December 30, 2021
Spotlight falls on Duke of York after ‘unhelpful’ Maxwell verdict. Friday’s @theipaper front page #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #skypapers #maxwell pic.twitter.com/w3utrpLwUQ
— Tim Alden (@timaldi) December 30, 2021
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:
'Duke told he will face justice after Maxwell verdict'#TomorrowsPapersToday
Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/M6N9hx4Lct— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) December 30, 2021
The Daily Express reports Andrew is worried about damage to the British monarchy and has told friends he wants to “protect the queen” by stopping the civil case from being heard.
Tomorrow's front page: Andrew fears his abuse case will damage monarchy #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/aXATcQMHo2
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) December 30, 2021
The Daily Mirror quotes former Epstein butler Juan Alessi – who testified in the Maxwell trial – as saying Andrew should speak to the FBI “if nothing else to clear himself”.
Tomorrow’s front page: Andrew must tell all he knows #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/Quu5uwEChD pic.twitter.com/h7SJnqFbxW
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) December 30, 2021
The Financial Times reports British prime minister Boris Johnson will be cleared of breaking the ministerial code over a loan used to redecorate his flat.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times UK edition Friday December 31 https://t.co/qmjkB89Oxu pic.twitter.com/fUBb7t87gV
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) December 30, 2021
The Times leads with comments from the head of NHS Providers Chris Hopson that there is no need for more restrictions despite rising hospitalisations. But The Independent reports the NHS is also warning admissions will continue to rise for at least another ten days.
THE TIMES: No need for more Covid curbs, say NHS chiefs #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/hJIDtRPyTm
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) December 30, 2021
INDEPENDENT DIGITAL: Prepare for the worst, NHS bosses tell hospitals #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/APoxlYlEMR
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) December 30, 2021
The Guardian features a British Medical Association warning that NHS workers are not being properly prioritised for Covid tests amid the lack of supply. And the Daily Star reports some lateral flow kits are selling for as much as £210 (€250).
Guardian front page, Friday 31 December 2021: Lack of Covid tests for NHS staff could have ‘devastating’ impact pic.twitter.com/LA8MGSvQak
— The Guardian (@guardian) December 30, 2021
Tomorrow's Daily Star's front page: Daylight swabbery.https://t.co/hR4EB0kH4x pic.twitter.com/PdV6e945Rh
— Daily Star (@dailystar) December 30, 2021
