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The cabinet will approve a plan on Friday afternoon to ease level 5 lockdown restrictions nationwide and reopen the country in several phases in the run-up to Christmas. So what will that look like?
Phase one
The first phase of the gradual reopening will take effect on December 1-2 and will allow the opening of retail stores, hair salons and gyms.
In this phase, the Government has focused on reopening services where the probability of infection by Covid-19 is lower.
All non-essential retail outlets will be allowed to reopen, allowing people who have not gone under lock and key filling online virtual shopping baskets to begin their holiday shopping.
Cinemas, museums and galleries are also expected to reopen, and outdoor sports such as tennis and golf may be allowed to resume.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin addresses the nation at government buildings on October 19 announcing a nationwide blockade for six weeks. Photograph: Julien Behal / Pool / AFP via Getty
Phase two
Restaurants and pubs serving food are likely to reopen in a second phase, possibly a week later, on December 7.
Nursing home residents will be allowed one scheduled visit per week in this phase.
The hospitality industry had lobbied hard to be allowed to resume trading during the traditionally busy Christmas season.
The so-called “wet pubs” must remain closed except for take away drinks. Photograph: Andy Rain / EPA
There are likely to be stricter rules about time limits and the number of people who will be allowed to sit together at a table. The definition of “pubs serving food” can also be stricter, to restrict the opening of pubs while serving very limited food options, grilled toast with cheese at the bar.
Does that include “wet pubs”?
In short, no. While pubs that can function as restaurants will get the green light to open, so-called “wet pubs” will not. Drink-only pubs will remain closed and restricted to takeout service only.
Given the increased risk of infection associated with people congregating in settings where alcohol is served, pubs that only drink beverages are unlikely to be allowed to reopen this year.
Dublin’s “wet pubs” have been completely closed during the current six-week closure when “wet pubs” outside the capital were allowed to serve take out. However, with Friday’s announcement, Dublin’s “wet pubs” are expected to be able to serve alcoholic beverages to go like establishments elsewhere in the Republic.
Phase three
In a third planned phase of staggered reopening, restrictions on home visiting and inter-county travel will be lowered for a period of about two weeks around Christmas, to allow family and friends to celebrate the holidays together.
This third phase is believed to begin on December 18, and the size of home visits allowed is likely to be fewer than six people from three households.
If the number of coronavirus cases skyrockets during December, as people will congregate and socialize, limits on home visits and non-essential travel between counties will be reimposed in early January.
Did Nphet approve of all this?
Well not exactly. In a letter to the government this week, the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) recommended more limited relief from restrictions.
Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan recommended that the hospitality industry limit itself to takeout services for the entire month of December.
Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan at a press conference in Dublin on Thursday. Photograph: Colin Keegan / Collins
The public health group said a choice must be made between relaxing restrictions on home visiting or allowing the hotel sector to reopen.
However, government figures have emphasized ad nauseam in recent times that it is Nphet who advises, and then the government decides.
Politicians are charged with considering Nphet’s public health councils, as well as the broader economic and social implications. The government has also come under heavy pressure from the hotel industry in recent days.
Following a Covid-19 Cabinet subcommittee meeting on Thursday night, the government is ready to reject Nphet’s advice and continue with much of its original three-phase plan.
When will we know all this for sure?
The cabinet is due to start at 2 p.m. Friday, and full details of the reopening plan will be announced at a later press conference, perhaps around 6 p.m.
While previous major Covid-19 announcements have often come at the end of the day after lengthy cabinet meetings, that is unlikely to be the case this time.
Politicians are well aware that the very popular Late Late Toy Show airs on RTÉ One at 9:35 PM, so any press conferences will have to be done and dusted before then.
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