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The government is likely to authorize the reopening of pubs that do not serve food on September 21, after discussions with the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) reported that they should not open before that date.
The reopening of the “wet” pubs, closed since March, will be subject to strict regulations on social distancing and hygiene. A political source familiar with the plan said: “It is not like always.”
The Cabinet is expected to agree on the reopening date in a meeting on Tuesday.
However, it comes amid growing concern over rising infection levels, especially in Dublin.
The news will come as a relief to the owners and operators of the 60 percent of pubs that do not serve food and have not been allowed to open. Irish pubs have experienced the longest closure in Europe and tavern keepers have been pushing fiercely in recent weeks to be allowed to reopen.
Tipperary publicans will protest in front of Leinster House Tuesday over continued pub closures as well as new regulations, while the Independent Rural Group, including Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath and Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, has filed a Private members’ motion for the Dáil on Wednesday opposed new regulations that require bars to keep receipts for food consumption for 28 days.
Sustenance of the publicans
Publicans who held protests outside the offices of Ministers Simon Coveney and Michael McGrath in Carrigaline, Co Cork, on Monday have pledged similar demonstrations across the country if the government does not protect their livelihoods.
Public health officials suggested that counties with a high incidence of Covid-19 could be excluded from the pub reopening discussed later this month, although government sources downplayed this.
Acting Medical Director Dr. Ronan Glynn said he thought it was “possible” for the wet pubs to reopen in mid-September, but noted “particular concern” about several counties.
The growing number of cases in Dublin and Limerick is causing concern among public health officials, who have asked residents of both counties to limit their social interactions as much as possible.
“The next seven days, in terms of people’s behavior, are really important,” he said. “If things hold steady, we’ll see.”
Meanwhile, up to 40 schools have contacted public health officials about Covid-19 cases involving students, but so far no clusters or outbreaks have been reported in schools.
School progress
One percent of the 4,000 schools that have reopened in recent days have been in contact with public health officials, it was said at an NPHET briefing Monday night.
However, this does not mean that an outbreak has occurred, according to public health specialist Dr. Abigail Collins, who said cases involving children had typically occurred in the community.
In some cases, classes or groups of students were withdrawn from the school and further tests were ordered, he said, but “at this time there are no confirmed outbreaks in schools.”
Dr. Collins said she was optimistic about the reopening of the schools, which she praised for reacting in a “pragmatic, sensitive and supportive way.”
An additional 102 confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been reported to NPHET, while no further deaths were reported. Dublin accounted for 56 of the new cases.
Meanwhile, the European Commission published on Monday a proposal for a common EU system governing travel restrictions between member states. Ministers are expected to discuss the current travel restrictions on Tuesday, although sources say decisions are unlikely to be made until next week.
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