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The cabinet hopes to significantly increase Covid-19 restrictions at its meeting this morning, but rejects a recommendation from the medical director, Dr. Tony Holohan, to move the country to level 5.
A cabinet subcommittee on Covid-19 is understood to have agreed to a number of measures last night, including closing all gastro-pubs and restaurants as of mid-afternoon on Christmas Eve.
The Medical Director and two senior members of NPHET reported to the Cabinet subcommittee, which includes the three coalition leaders along with the Ministers of Health, Finance and Public Expenditure.
Dr Tony Holohan voiced the view that Ireland should move to Level 5 restrictions because the Covid-19 situation here was what he called gravely concerning.
It is understood that the subcommittee recommended to the Cabinet that the Government act quickly, closing the hospitality sector from Christmas Eve, along with cinemas, theaters and personal services such as hairdressers.
They also agreed that the travel ban from Britain to Ireland should be extended until December 31.
However, it is believed that the Cabinet subcommittee decided that some non-essential retail establishments and gyms should be allowed to remain open.
An agreement on inter-county travel has yet to be reached. One proposal had been to restrict people from traveling within their own county since St. Stephen’s Day.
In home visits, ministers will consider today whether to allow another home visit after December 26; all home visits are prohibited from January 1.
The Executive Director of the Irish Restaurant Association, Adrian Cummins, described the closure of the Christmas Eve hospitality as a “disastrous, devastating and crushing blow”.
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