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The ministers will meet today to finalize the government’s plan on managing the Covid-19 pandemic amid warnings from public health experts that restrictions will be necessary to control the high infection rates in Dublin.
The preparation of the medium-term strategy “Living with Covid” continued over the weekend.
High-level sources told The Irish Times on Sunday night that there would be more amendments to the plan before it is sent to the cabinet for approval and publication tomorrow.
The plan will establish a five-stage framework, with level one being the most relaxed environment and level five the most restricted, similar to the national lockdown introduced earlier this year. You will then establish what each level will mean for a variety of sectors.
The government is expected to say that level two is appropriate for the country at present, although there is some debate among ministers as to whether Dublin should be raised to level three. Several sources told The Irish Times that new restrictions could come in for Dublin this week, although a decision has yet to be made.
The capital has seen a sharp increase in cases in the last two weeks. It was announced on Sunday night that there were 255 new cases nationwide, 156 of them in Dublin.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said his main goal was to keep schools and universities open and this would take precedence over reopening pubs or holding sporting events.
Speaking on Sunday, he told RTÉ’s The Week in Politics: “If you look at the plan, the key ingredient at all levels will be the reduction of social contacts, even at home, because that’s where the prevalence of the disease is most. dangerous . “
Dr Nuala O’Connor, Covid-19 leader at the Irish College of General Practioners, said the new measures could be with us for a long time.
“Until we get an effective vaccine or effective treatment, the world will live with this virus for some time; we have to relive our lives and educate our children. [and] jump-start the economy, ”he said.
Meanwhile, the Gardaí in Dublin will increase their high-visibility patrols in the capital.
The goal is to help reduce the continuing high infection rates in the city. Gardaí will control social distancing and large concentrations.
Increased high visibility patrols by An Garda Síochána members on foot, by car and by bicycle throughout Dublin City and County to support public health guidelines, particularly in relation to social distancing and gathering in large groups. For more: https://t.co/CZArz4kD6S pic.twitter.com/4giQU0agL1
– Garda Information (@gardainfo) September 13, 2020
Garda Deputy Commissioner John Twomey said: “It is vital that people who live, work and visit Dublin limit their social interactions, maintain social distancing, wear face masks in shops and on public transport and do not gather in larger groups than those described in public health councils. “
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