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More than 5,500 people have entered the state from countries considered high-risk by Covid-19, including more than 2,000 passengers from Brazil, over a 28-day period this year, the Sunday Independent can reveal.
Confidential figures released to Cabinet have come amid concerns about the arrival of the so-called Brazilian P1 variant in Ireland.
The first three cases of the most transmissible variant were associated with recent travel from Brazil.
Public health officials say there is no evidence of wider transmission of this variant, against which vaccines may be less effective.
Ministers were informed that over a 28-day period in January and February, 5,564 people arrived from the 20 high-risk category two countries, including 2,194 from the United Arab Emirates, 2,004 from Brazil, 499 from South Africa and 867 from the other 17 countries. the list.
Currently arrivals from these countries must be quarantined at home for 14 days, but legislation to be passed in the coming weeks will establish mandatory hotel quarantine for all arrivals, including Irish nationals, from these 20 countries. .
It comes as the three Coalition party leaders and senior ministers were told on Thursday that 500,000 people in Ireland will be fully vaccinated by the end of April, and that up to 2.2 million will receive their first and second doses at end of July.
The Cabinet Covid subcommittee received new indicative deadlines showing that up to 3.5 million first doses will be administered by the end of July, provided there are no disruptions to anticipated vaccine supplies.
Ministers now expect 250,000 people to receive doses of vaccines each week, starting in April.
This means that Health Minister Stephen Donnelly’s goal of offering a vaccine to all adults in the country by the end of September will be met, as long as there are no supply problems or the impact of the new variants disrupts distribution.
Donnelly is expected this week to outline plans to increase the prioritization of vaccines for those with underlying health problems.
A revised Living with Covid plan will outline proposals for a slow and cautious reopening of the country, but without firm dates, as the government remains concerned about the impact of the new variants on both the disease and the vaccination program.
Furthermore, a major overhaul of outdated licensing laws could allow pubs, bars, nightclubs, and off-licenses to open longer and make it easier for theaters, galleries, and other cultural venues to sell alcohol. Justice Minister Helen McEntee is planning new legislation this year as part of plans to revitalize the nighttime economy once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said yesterday that he did not foresee the reopening of pubs or restaurants before mid-summer, which would be at the end of June, prompting a renewed warning from the hotel sector that companies are facing “financial ruin and collapse “.
Also speaking yesterday, HSE’s director of operations, Dr. Colm Henry, told RTÉ that the three people who arrived with the Brazilian variant were identified at Dublin airport and are isolated.
“I can’t say that they have been completely delimited, but the actions taken by our public health teams (we have a special outbreak team that analyzes South Africa and Brazil) have ensured that these cases were isolated and proven. That follow-up of contacts and observation it is not complete yet, but our hope is that we can narrow down these cases, “added Dr. Henry.
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