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The country will open its doors in December, but new rules have been put in place for home visits during the Christmas period.
As Christmas shopping in Ireland’s cities and towns becomes an option again, for the first time people are being asked to cover their faces outdoors in crowded areas.
The government opted for a widespread reopening of retail, as medical director Tony Holohan warned that Ireland was in a “very precarious” position and vulnerable to a sudden and sharp increase in the incidence of the virus.
The lockdown restrictions will begin to ease next week and people will be able to receive visitors from two other households for nearly three weeks beginning Dec. 18, with inter-county travel allowed from the same date.
Shops, gyms, hair salons and churches will open on Tuesday and people will be able to gather in groups of six in restaurants and pubs that have their own kitchen on Friday.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the changes to the restrictions in a speech to the nation before last night’s event. Belated toy show. He spoke of the devastating impact of the pandemic and how more than 3,000 people have died on the island of Ireland.
Mr. Martin said that people had made “great sacrifices for the common good” in 2020 and so “now we have the opportunity to enjoy a different, but special Christmas. We can be with our loved ones and remember those we have lost. We will get out of this together. “
However, the tough letter from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) to the Government was published while announcing the easing of restrictions. In it, Chief Medical Officer Dr Holohan warned that Ireland was in a “very precarious” position and vulnerable to a sudden and sharp increase in the incidence rate of the virus.
He pointed to the average 300 cases of the virus per day and an R number likely to exceed 1 when he said there is not enough flexibility to allow restaurants and bars to reopen while easing restrictions on home visiting.
At the same time, hospitalizations and ICU admissions have not decreased enough.
He also warned: “In simple terms, people may not follow public health advice to limit social activity.”
There is a fear that the most vulnerable groups will experience an increase in infections and diseases.
Mr. Martin admitted that Nphet had been clear in his advice about not opening the hospitality and home sector to visitors. But he insisted that the plan to allow home visits between December 18 and January 6 was “conservative.”
The Taoiseach admitted that there were “risks associated with this,” but said that this is why he emphasized personal behavior as key to easing restrictions.
Mr. Martin said that the Government had to strike a balance between public health councils and other factors such as the economy and the social and mental well-being of the people.
He said: “This is a balancing act … and we will work with Nphet and others to make sure this is under constant review.” Mr. Martin said the numbers should continue to decline over the next week as a result of the current restrictions and “the challenge is getting through Christmas.”
He said the situation would be reviewed before January 6 and it would be considered whether the reopens were sustainable and sectors such as non-essential retail would be watched “very carefully.”
“Judgment decisions” would have to be made, Martin said, adding: “Some of this is in our hands in terms of how we behave.”
People are asked to use their own common sense in deciding whether to travel home for Christmas.
Returning home from abroad, although not encouraged, is not entirely prohibited, on the basis that people are aware of their own family circumstances and are asked to demonstrate individual responsibility.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said that people would be the best judge in deciding whether or not they should go home.
“Maybe they have a parent who feels very lonely or maybe their parents haven’t seen their children, or they have to go home at this particular time. We all get it, ”Ryan said.
He said they should follow public health guidance and rules under Ireland’s implementation of the EU traffic light system for international travel.
When restaurants and self-catering pubs open, there will be no time limit on how long people can stay in places where tables are more than two meters apart and people can meet in groups of up to six.
So-called ‘wet pubs’ that do not serve food will only be able to operate a take out service.
Irish independent
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