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HEALTH MINISTER STEPHEN Donnelly has said that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is considering whether to update the advice to require the use of face masks where visors are used.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time, the minister said that it would appear that visors “are not as effective” as masks, but said he did not know and had asked the public health team to ask.
It is also understood that the government is also considering a system of graduated fines for violating Covid-19 rules, such as not wearing a face mask or leaving the county when restrictions exist.
One idea being considered for the incremental fines includes a € 50 fine on the spot for not wearing a face mask or leaving their county during restrictions.
Currently, anyone who does not cover their face without a reasonable excuse can be fined up to € 2,500 or up to 6 months in prison.
However, it is understood that the government is concerned about the task of enforcing the law by gardaí given the high sanction, with the idea that perhaps something smaller, such as a fine of € 20 to 50 for leaving the county or not wearing a mask would work better.
The government is likely to focus on encouraging public compliance and watch the ongoing garda operation progress in the days ahead.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee confirmed that the government is analyzing what measures worked in other jurisdictions and the possibility of fines on the spot.
However, he said the measures would raise other questions about what to do if people refuse to pay the fines. “We continue to analyze this,” he said.
He also confirmed yesterday that the Gardaí would not obtain additional legal powers to enforce the government’s restrictions.
Varadkar had declared that the gardaí would have powers of execution.
Minister Donnelly said that NPHET is looking to update the advice to require the use of masks instead of visors. #rtept pic.twitter.com/70RAp0AIMG
– RTÉ Prime Time (@RTE_PrimeTime) October 6, 2020
“We will update the laws, potentially to introduce a different system of fines, etc.,” he said, but did not elaborate.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said earlier this week that this is “personal responsibility,” adding that there would be additional funding for Gardaí to step up law enforcement and ensure a greater presence.
The Irish Civil Liberties Council has previously spoken out against any reintroduction of extended enforcement powers or the use of criminal penalties.
The group said restrictions should not be controlled by coercion and force.
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At last night’s Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting, the Tánaiste also raised the idea of a “circuit breaker” blockade.
Other high-level government sources have said such circuit interruption restrictions “are not out of the question.”
It is understood that Leo Varadkar also talked about the possibility of looking at a matrix for when we get to each level in terms of an infection rate and other criteria determine each level.
Most TDs and senators praised Varadkar for his public criticism of NPHET on the Claire Byrne show last night.
The idea of implementing a new model to address public health advice was also discussed.
Former Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy suggested that the National Emergency Coordination Group, which dealt with extreme weather events in the past, get involved.
The wide range of stakeholders, including the Gardaí and the Defense Forces, could help consider the council and its implications.
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