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GOVERNMENT PARTY LEADERS met tonight to discuss growing concerns about the increase in Covid-19 cases.
The meeting of party leaders, as well as the Covid Cabinet committee, was held ahead of tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting, which is scheduled to approve the advancement of the restrictions, which were due to end on January 6.
It is understood that the Covid-19 Cabinet Committee has agreed tonight that gastronomic restaurants and pubs should close mid-afternoon on Christmas Eve.
Travel restrictions from Britain to Ireland are also scheduled to last until December 31.
The announcement of the measures will be made after tomorrow’s cabinet meeting.
Earlier today, Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said the government could decide to reintroduce the inter-county travel ban before January 6.
The inter-county travel restriction was only lifted on weekends, along with the home visit ban, to allow families to meet up during the Christmas period.
It was noted over the weekend that inter-county travel would remain in effect until January 6, however more will be discussed in Cabinet tomorrow.
It is understood that inter-county travel could be halted as of December 26, subject to further discussion.
Home visitation restrictions will also be discussed in more detail tomorrow.
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The government is believed to have been adamant about keeping gyms and non-essential retail stores open.
Government sources said this will safeguard jobs and preserve people’s mental health during what will be a challenging period. They noted that the increase in cases would have been planted two weeks ago, with little expectation that they will fall before January.
In the government’s view, the restrictions will be revised two weeks after January, when the Christmas mix should have dissipated and the numbers could begin to decline.
Party leaders also discussed extending the 48-hour travel ban with Britain, but Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has already said that it is unlikely to be lifted before Christmas.
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