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Updated: 12.30pm
The Cabinet agreed that new powers will be granted to gardaí to fine people who celebrate house parties in violation of Covid-19 restrictions.
According to the new plans, Gardaí can knock on a door and break a party at the house, but they cannot enter the house. Instead, they will ask the owner to break up the party, and if they refuse to do so, they will be fined a flat fee notice, according to the Irish Times.
Also, if a person is seen loitering in an area and Gardaí suspects that they are going to a house party, officers may ask the person to leave the area. If the person refuses to do so, they will be fined.
The Cabinet also agreed that the number of people authorized to attend a funeral will be increased to 25 under Level 5 restrictions, as it met on Tuesday prior to the introduction of the new statewide restrictions through Dec. 1.
With a previously established limit of 10 attendees, the Government has now decided to align the number allowed to attend funerals with the number allowed to attend weddings under the new Covid-19 restrictions.
Ministers are also debating today a new system of fines for violating Covid-19 restrictions, as Justice Minister Helen McEntee is understood to have presented a memorandum detailing the sanctions that will be applied to those who break Covid-19 restrictions. travel, among other measures.
The cabinet is likely to approve a series of incremental fines for actions that violate Level 5 restrictions, such as breaking the five-kilometer travel limit and not wearing a mask in certain settings.
Legislation is being prioritized and could come before the Dáil as early as this week.
We need to make sure that people comply with the new rules and regulations so that we don’t have two tiers here, one where the vast majority of people abide by the rules for the greater good and a small number of people who don’t.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed that the entire state will move to Level 5 restrictions for a six week period from midnight Wednesday through Thursday morning.
Schools and childcare facilities will remain open, as will construction and manufacturing sites, but non-essential retail businesses and services, such as the barber shop, will be forced to close as people are asked to do not travel more than five kilometers from their homes.
Speaking today, Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said that the fines being discussed are necessary for the entire population to adhere to the guidelines.
“We need to make sure that people comply with the new rules and regulations so that we don’t have two tiers here, one where the vast majority of people abide by the rules for the greater good and a small number of people who don’t. .
“We have to ensure that the Gardaí have the powers they need to intervene when and where possible and necessary,” Coveney added.
However, ESRI’s Peter Lunn says that penalties for violating the guidelines will have limited success in changing people’s behavior: “It is true that some degree of punishment and financial incentive can make a difference in behavior, but it will be quite small. .
“The detrimental effects are not very strong and the probability of getting caught is probably quite low in most cases. So people who are crying out for more fines and more punishments, it’s an understandable emotion, but it’s not a solution.” .
Level 5
Speaking last night, Mr. Martin said that if people “come together for the next six weeks, we will have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in a meaningful way.”
Among the announcements he made was that social or family gatherings are not allowed in houses or gardens. Everyone is also asked to stay home and exercise within 5km of their home and he confirmed that the legislation will go to Cabinet to introduce fines for breaking this travel limit.
Weddings will be limited to 25 people until the end of the year, while bars and restaurants can only serve takeout.
Martin said at the briefing that more supports will be available to businesses and that mental health services will also receive more supports.
Under the new restrictions, only essential outlets will remain open for the six-week period.
Construction work will continue while most of the manufacturing will remain open. Schools will also remain open under the move to Level 5.
Support bubble
People who live alone or raise children can form a bubble of support with another household.
The Taoiseach said that neither zero tolerance restrictions nor a herd immunity strategy would work for Ireland.
“Many people have done everything that has been asked of them. But some have not. Like Taoiseach, I ask everyone to take this threat seriously.”
On the decision to keep the schools open, he said the decision was supported by Nphet’s council.
“This is necessary because we cannot and will not allow the future of our children and youth to be one more victim of this disease. They need their education.
“The fact that we have been able to open our schools and keep them open is due to the extraordinary efforts of our administrators, principals, teachers, special needs aides, parents, child care providers, cleaners, caregivers, and entire school communities.
“They are also on the front lines of this crisis and deserve the gratitude of the entire nation,” added Martin.
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