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Updated 21 minutes ago
LEADING PUBLIC HEALTH experts have been summoned to introduce themselves to senior government members prior to a meeting to discuss the recommendation to move to Level 5 restrictions.
The three coalition party leaders, along with the Ministers of Health, Finance and Public Expenditure, will meet later today to discuss whether Ireland should adopt Level 5 restrictions following a recommendation from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) .
It is understood that there is some hesitancy in the government to move immediately to Level 5, with suggestions to adopt Level 4 restrictions first and move to Level 5 if necessary.
Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan has been called in to make a presentation to the ministers gathered today before discussing the recommendation to move to level 5.
Holohan, along with Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronan Glynn and Professor Philip Nolan, will present their findings to ministers and answer any questions that arise. HSE CEO Paul Reid is also expected to be present.
Before introducing themselves to the ministers, Holohan and Glynn are expected to meet privately with Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
The cabinet should meet before a final decision is made to move to a new level, but there are no current plans for the cabinet to meet today.
Earlier this week, NPHET recommended that the government move Ireland to Level 5 for the second time in two weeks.
If NPHET advice is followed, Level 5 restrictions would last for a period of six weeks.
Yesterday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the government would give “active consideration” to NPHET’s recommendation to move to Level 5.
Martin, speaking from Brussels, said that “the situation is very serious and we will need more action in this regard.”
“Obviously, this is very serious advice that we have received. It must be considered properly. And people have to have a clear clarity about it and that is why we will meet tomorrow in the first instance, “said Martin.
Speaking to Brendan O’Connor on RTÉ One this morning, Trinity biochemistry professor Luke O’Neill said the government has “the most difficult decision so far this weekend.”
O’Neill said there are likely to be “more restrictions” and the government “will have to do something to lower the numbers.”
However, he said that the Level 5 restrictions pose challenges and, in particular, that the 5km restriction for exercising around the house was “complicated.”
Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan have already moved to restriction level 4 due to a high rate of cases in all three counties.
Across the country, more stringent restrictions have been placed on home visiting requiring no other home visits to be made, except for essential reasons such as childcare.
What would level 5 look like?
Under Level 5 restrictions, most social activities would stop or be significantly limited.
In addition to the fact that visits to houses or gardens will not be allowed, social or family gatherings will not be allowed in other settings.
Organized indoor and outdoor gatherings such as cultural events would not be allowed, nor would any training or group sports matches.
Religious services will be held online, but places of worship may remain open for individual prayer.
Up to 10 mourners would be allowed at a funeral and up to six guests at a wedding.
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Bars, cafes, restaurants and pubs will continue to be limited to takeout or delivery services only.
Only essential retail stores would be allowed to open, with services like hair salons and barbers required to close.
The existing framework does not state how schools, daycare centers, and universities would be affected by Tier 5 restrictions. Instead, it stipulates that recommendations will be “based on the situation and evidence at the time.”
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