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The cabinet’s decision to put the entire country in Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions is expected to be raised in the Dáil by opposition parties today.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar criticized the National Public Health Emergency Team last night for proposing a Level 5 restriction and how that opinion was conveyed to the Government.
Earlier, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly told a press conference that what he called “strong commitment” between the government and NPHET should be expected, but that “respect” still exists.
Mr. Varadkar, however, was much more blunt in speaking on RTÉ’s Claire Byrne Live when he said that NPHET’s Level 5 recommendation “had not been well thought out and there had been no prior consultation.”
Varadkar also criticized the way NPHET acted, saying that “getting something on a Sunday night … without prior consultation” was not the right way to go.
He said it would not happen again.
Opposition parties are expected to seek more information on how and why the Government did not follow NPHET’s advice and what it hopes to achieve with its own Level 3 plan.
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Taoiseach Micheál Martin, in a speech at government buildings yesterday, said that the key to discussions about the move to level 5 was to analyze the broader implications.
He said we are in a different situation than last March and businesses are beginning to recover and vital public health services are still behind schedule.
Martin said tougher restrictions now would have an impact that many may not recover from.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin Says Level 3 Restrictions Going into Effect from Midnight Tomorrow Night, Steps to Increase Compliance with Covid Guidelines | https://t.co/nPM6fe3aXF pic.twitter.com/OjurgLc75C
– RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 5, 2020
The Taoiseach said the core of the government’s approach is a series of graduated levels “that allow us to respond to new virus trends and ensure that we analyze all aspects of the measures before they are implemented.”
A wide range of Level 3 restrictions will take effect from midnight tonight for at least three weeks.
Under the restrictions, people must stay in their own county and work from home unless absolutely necessary.
Individuals should not travel domestically or internationally outside of their own county, except for work, education, or other essential purposes.
Public transport will operate at 50% of its capacity. However, nurseries, schools and universities will remain open as part of the measures.
The limit of no more than six visitors to a home from another home remains without social or family gatherings.
Explainer: What does level 3 mean?
Visits to long-term residential care facilities are suspended, in addition to critical or compassionate circumstances.
The number of mourners at a funeral is reduced to 25 with a similar number of guests at a wedding, but it will not be possible to attend a ceremony in another county.
Other religious services will move online. The cafes and restaurants can serve up to 15 people outdoors and offer takeaway and home delivery just like the tin bars, except for the wet pubs in Dublin which remain closed.
All retail and other services can be opened, while only professional, elite or inter-county sporting events can take place behind closed doors.
The debate over yesterday’s events surrounding the Government and NPHET is likely to overshadow today’s regular Cabinet meeting in which Environment Minister Eamon Ryan’s Climate Action Bill is likely to pass.
Gardaí seeks clarification on police restrictions
The Gardaí is expected to control Level 3 restrictions without firm guidelines on how to do so, according to the Garda Association of Sergeants and Inspectors.
AGSI Secretary General Antoinette Cunningham said they are seeking clarification on what the Taoiseach meant by stating that gardaí is “stepping up measures to increase compliance.”
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said it would have been helpful if the government’s ‘Living with Covid’ plan implementation measures had been released at the same time as the plan, which would have allowed the role of An Garda to be fulfilled. Síochána. “crystalline” at every stage and in the eyes of the public.
An intensive care specialist at Limerick University Hospital has said doctors want people to control the virus so that emergency and elective care can continue alongside Covid care without the need to divert staff toward creating care. additional in the ICU.
Dr. Catherine Motherway told the same program that while the Government and NPHET give advice, we must all reduce our social contacts and maintain physical distancing to suppress the spread of the coronavirus.
He said that whatever level of restriction is designed for the country, it is “everyone’s gift to solve this.”
Dr. Motherway said that while there has been an increase in ICU capacity in hospitals, it needs to be permanently and sustainably upgraded along with more isolation beds.
He said there is “scalability” in the system, but this would require a reduction in elective care, which doctors are eager to avoid.
Dr. Motherway said there is additional equipment and space available to create augmentation capacity, as well as the possibility of using private hospitals again, but said the hope is that it will not be necessary.
Additional reporting Fergal O’Brien
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