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Restaurants and pubs that serve food could be forced to close their doors again on December 30 to curb the growing number of Covid-19 cases.
The new restrictions will take effect the day before New Years Eve, as thousands face cancellation of their plans to play in 2021 at venues across the country on December 31.
The move is expected to reduce the number of close contacts at night where people traditionally gather in large groups and gatherings.
As of December 30, new restrictions on home visiting will also take effect, reports the Irish Times.
People can receive visitors from two homes under the current guidelines, but that will be down to one home under the new rules.
The government is taking a softer approach to the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) to introduce these measures on December 28.
People are expected to be able to travel outside of their county until January 6 against Nphet’s advice to ban all inter-county travel after Christmas.
The cabinet has yet to approve the plans and will meet next Tuesday to discuss Nphet’s recommendations.
Writing to the government on Thursday, Nphet recommended “Level 3 plus” restrictions effective December 28.
This would result in people being banned from leaving their county and restaurants and food bars closed outside of deliveries and takeout.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said on Friday that the government was “very willing” to accept Nphet’s advice and political sources told the newspaper that the “Level 3 plus” restrictions could be in place until the implementation of a vaccine begins. ..
Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan warned yesterday that “the situation is getting worse faster than we expected.”
He said: “Over the past week, we have expressed great concern that the level of infection was deteriorating day by day.
! Today’s data adds more evidence that the situation is getting worse faster than we expected. ”
He added: “The country simply cannot cope with this level of infection as we approach Christmas week.
“With vaccines offering hope in the coming months for our most vulnerable groups, we want to keep them alive and healthy so they can receive it.”
“Each of us must do everything possible to protect public health: cut your contacts, see only those you need to see. Choose to socialize safely, outdoors if possible. If you see a crowd, avoid it.
“By choosing to act safely now, together we can limit the impact this disease will have in the weeks and months ahead, and by doing so, we can protect the vulnerable and prevent unnecessary deaths.”
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