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The government is considering introducing gradual fines for those traveling between counties for non-essential reasons following a meeting of senior officials this morning.
Authorities warned of a “large increase” in those applying for Pandemic Unemployment Pay (PUP) with warnings that the numbers could rise by 60,000 by Friday with the entire country now at Level 3 of the Government’s plan to address to the pandemic.
A Covid-19 oversight group, consisting of the highest-ranking public officials in each government department, met Wednesday morning to consider further enforcement of the restrictions on business, education, and society at large. .
A senior source confirmed that the group examined the graduated fines for those traveling between counties for nonessential reasons.
The sources said the level of the fines had not yet been established, but that it would be enough to be a “deterrent” for those contemplating circumventing national travel restrictions.
The group also discussed new plans to emphasize compliance in shopping malls, sports and gyms.
Tertiary education will also be further examined in terms of compliance. At the meeting it was agreed that there would be more focused messages about social distancing and non-congregational settings.
Officials also discussed a “big increase” in those applying for the PUP. High-level sources suggested estimates of increases of up to 60,000 for Friday alone. An economic outlook was provided warning of the “profound impact” that the new restrictions were having on the hospitality sector.
The group also discussed concerns about nursing homes and rising infection rates.
The oversight committee is chaired by the highest ranking official in the State, the Secretary General of the Government, Martin Fraser. Its function is “to advise the Government on the strategic responses of economic and social policy for the treatment of the disease and to take into account the advice of Nphet”.
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