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CABINET WILL MEET today to consider advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on easing Level 5 restrictions before Christmas.
NPHET met on Wednesday and finalized its advice for the government that the subcommittee on Covid-19 considered last night.
The public health team recommended that pubs and restaurants only be allowed to serve takeout food until December.
However, the cabinet subcommittee has given the green light for the reopening of restaurants next month.
It is also understood that gastronomic bars may reopen with additional restrictions in place. This issue is expected to be discussed further today in the plenary cabinet meeting.
All meals are expected to take place in controlled indoor environments, beginning on a date between December 4-7, depending on what ministers decide today.
The Government has already indicated that a gradual approach will be taken to ease restrictions and reopen society in the run-up to Christmas.
Following today’s Cabinet decision, a nationwide speech by Taoiseach Micheál Martin is expected around 6pm.
The Level 5 restrictions, which have been in effect since October 22, are expected to be lifted on December 1 and the country to enter Level 3, with some modifications, on Wednesday.
It is understood that there will be three phases for the lifting of restrictions.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has already indicated that retailers, gyms and hair salons will be among those to reopen first. These will not reopen from Tuesday, December 1.
The main battlefield between the public health team and the government is hospitality.
There were questions about restaurant reopening yesterday after a letter to NPHET Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, whose members expressed serious concerns about the plan for the hotel industry.
The NPHET board clashed with the government’s plans to reopen food-serving restaurants and pubs to open before Christmas, but ultimately other issues had to be considered.
Public health experts also raised concerns about religious services, recommending that they only resume for two weeks a month. However, last night it was decided that mass and worship will return in December with strict rules on choral singing.
It is not surprising
Those in government circles have said that the rejection of NPHET was always to be expected, and shouldn’t be too surprising, with one saying that “they are always concerned about the reopening.”
The Tánaiste had also said earlier this week that while his government “will of course listen to the advice of NPHET,” the Cabinet will make the final call on what to reopen or remain closed.
Varadkar said the restrictions on home visiting were expected to be eased for up to two weeks to allow people to visit friends and family at Christmas.
Last night, the subcommittee on Covid-19 discussed the possibility of advising four households that celebrate Christmas together. However, with the hospitality industry reopening, the numbers are likely to drop as NPHET warned it should be one or the other.
Until last night, it is understood that the discussion has focused on three households, plus his, with a maximum of six. However, it is believed that the Cabinet could choose a maximum of ten.
It is believed that those in government are of the opinion that people are going to get together for Christmas, no matter what NPHET or the government says, stating that it is better to be realistic about that prospect and try to manage it, rather than trying to stop it.
The date for easing those restrictions is expected to be around December 18, it is understood, and family reunions before that date are not recommended.
“The government’s goal is to have as normal a family dinner on Christmas Day as possible, but it is too early to make that call,” Varadkar said earlier in the week.
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“We want people to be able to meet their families and friends during the Christmas period.”
The Taoiseach has also indicated that while there may be recommendations or advice on the number of households and visitors, it will largely depend on personal choice and responsibility.
Micheál Martin previously stated that it will not be the case that the Gardaí knocks on people’s doors to check how many people are inside on Christmas Day.
What else can we expect?
The reopening of museums, galleries and cinemas is expected in the initial phase of government reopening.
Inter-county travel will be restricted until the end of December, but the 5km guide will be removed in the previous phase.
The Taoiseach said this week that the country is not yet in a position to return to normal or close to normal.
“Our focus will continue to be to go as far as possible, but not further,” he said.
Government sources have said that very difficult decisions must be made today and that ministers must approve some very difficult concessions.
The big challenge then will be communication, and those in government circles claim that the key is to keep the message simple for people as we approach the Christmas period.
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