CMO does not anticipate lifting Level 5 restrictions ahead of time, but has not ruled out people traveling home for Christmas.

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The Medical Director has said that he does not anticipate any reduction in Level 5 restrictions before December 1.

However, Dr. Tony Holohan said during the Health Department briefing tonight that he does not rule out the possibility that people may travel home for Christmas.

When asked if NPHET would consider lifting some of the Level 5 restrictions earlier than planned, the CMO replied, “We would never rule anything out.

“We will always see what is happening with the disease at a certain time.”

However, he added: “But please don’t think I’m the one telling you that we are about to do that.

“I do not anticipate at this stage based on what we are seeing that we will be in a position to do something like that.”

On a more hopeful front, the CMO said he was not ruling out Christmas trips.

‘GIVE CONSIDERATION’

When asked if NPHET will discuss safe ways to make it easier for people to return home on Christmas, such as pre-flight testing and quicker testing upon arrival, the CMO responded, “We will look at all of these different measures over the course of the next few years. weeks.

“If we get to where we would like to be by the end of November, to be in a position to recommend to the government that they take a step back from the current measures, what measures should exist beyond that point?

“We are going to consider them. We will consult with colleagues across the government regarding all of that.

“And traveling will be one of the considerations.”

When asked then if that meant he was not ruling out visits home for Christmas, he explained: “I have not ruled out anything inside or outside.”