‘If we wait until January 6, the restrictions could be tougher and last longer’

TÁNAISTE LEO VARADKAR has said that NPHET recommended imposing new restrictions between Christmas and New Years, a proposal that will be considered by the Cabinet on Tuesday.

Varadkar said they would use the next four days to see if the worrying numbers for the increase in Covid-19 cases stabilize before making a decision on the implementation of new restrictions.

“I know it is something very difficult to hear and a very difficult decision for people to make,” he said on RTÉ’s Prime Time.

But if we don’t, and we wait until, say, January 3 or January 6, then the restrictions that we reimpose might have to be tighter and drag on for longer, and we don’t want that.

It is understood that NPHET recommended new restrictions for Monday, December 28.

Describing the possible restrictions that could be, Varadkar said:

• Restrictions on hospitality would return, that’s bars and restaurants
• Limit visits from one home to another, but not a total ban on home visits.
• Retail stores, gyms, and non-essential personal services would remain open.

💇‍♀️ Personal services are likely to remain open
👨‍👩‍👦‍👦Stay in your recommended county

There may be a push to get it on Dec 30/31, but it may not be possible based on the numbers

– Christina Finn (@ christinafinn8) December 17, 2020

Sources have also indicated that it would be a return to Level 3 restrictions, and that the advice would be to stay in their county with a single home visit.

The government aims to delay the imposition of new restrictions until December 30 or 31, but it will depend on the number of Covid-19 cases and their progress.

Varadkar said the government would still give companies 7-10 days notice to companies, even if the decision is made on Tuesday. That date would take us until December 29 to January 1.

On the launch of the Covid-19 vaccine, Varadkar said that mass vaccination facilities won’t be ready until March or April.

“Realistically, the next three months in Ireland will be similar to the last nine months, however from April I think we will start to see a critical mass of people vaccinated.”

With reporting from Christina Finn