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Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said that he expects Ireland to live with coronavirus restrictions until late 2021 or early 2022.
Speaking on Friday afternoon, the leader of Fianna Fail said that “we are looking at the end of 2021 before we see light at the end of the tunnel in terms of normality returning.”
The next revision of the restrictions will take place on September 13, when the big gatherings and “wet bars” will be discussed.
The Taoiseach said they understand the bar owners’ disappointment and hope to have a plan soon.
Mr. Martin said, “We understand the enormous disappointment of publicans across the country, the impact on their own well-being, their financial well-being, and their emotional and mental well-being … it has been very difficult for them.”
But even when pubs open it won’t be a return to the traditional night with places to all sit, social distancing still applies.
The Taoiseach stressed that “personal responsibility” will be important and they don’t want to see “pub crawls” anytime soon.
The € 9 meal is expected to be phased out only when the wet pubs finally reopen in the coming months.
Speaking on Friday afternoon, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said he cannot give a specific date but hopes to open pubs soon.
Mr Varadkar said: “It is about striking the right balance between public health and also allowing people to get on with their lives and livelihoods, and that is what living with the virus entails.”
“We are working with NPHET and the Department of Health to implement guidelines that make that possible, but we must always take into account, of course, the behavior of the disease itself.”
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