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All pubs could be allowed to reopen by the middle of this month, according to the Irish Times.
The move would coincide with the launch of the government’s new long-term strategy to deal with Covid-19.
According to the Irish Times, the reopening of pubs will be subject to strict regulation and inspection.
Drafts of the Health Department plan have been distributed and sparked intense discussion, with some sources believing that it is too restrictive.
It is also understood that the plan will change the relationship between the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) and the Government, with more collaboration and communication between the two parties on public health measures.
Dishonest operators
Senior figures in government are eager to move away from the model in which Nphet is seen as making public health recommendations and the government is diluting them.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach says new rules requiring pubs and restaurants to keep track of food orders for 28 days will protect law-abiding businesses.
In response to recent criticism surrounding new laws requiring pubs and restaurants to keep individual details of food consumption, Martin said it was “exaggerated” to claim it was a communications calamity.
“The government has no interest in knowing what people eat,” he said, adding that the regulations had been designed to deal with rogue operators who were serving drinks but not food.
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