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Covid’s restrictions on inter-county travel and home visiting will only be eased just before Christmas based on plans the government is discussing.
When the lockdown comes to an end on December 1, the government is believed to plan to move to Level 3 restrictions for at least two weeks before further easing regulations on the coronavirus.
Under Tier 3 rules, people can only travel within their own county and no more than two households can meet inside a family home.
The restrictions would significantly limit activities for families hoping to celebrate Christmas together after a year of Covid misery.
However, a senior government source said it hopes to introduce a “higher level of flexibility” in travel and home visits in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day.
This could mean that restrictions are eased a week or two before Christmas to allow people to see family and friends.
A final decision on the holiday period has yet to be made and government sources say that much will depend on the spread of the virus once the lockdown ends.
Yesterday, medical director Tony Holohan said that the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) will give advice to the government on Christmas regulations on November 26.
Dr Holohan has also sought advice from the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) on Christmas.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said this week that he hoped to move the country to Level 3 restrictions, but added that he “could moderate” what is allowed.
“The lower the case number, the more flexibility there will be to open certain sections,” said a government source.
“We want to give flexibility to family gatherings and there is an awareness of the need for people to cross the borders of the country to see their family.”
Another senior source said the government is “very aware” that it is a family occasion and said there is great push to ensure that people can spend time together.
Restaurants and pubs serving food are expected to reopen before Christmas, but so-called wet pubs are unlikely to be allowed to open.
There are also discussions on easing the county-by-county restrictions based on infection rate. However, there are concerns that this could lead to resentment among those who live in counties with stricter regulations during Christmas.
Yesterday, there was bad news for people hoping to fly to Ireland for Christmas, as Leo Varadkar urged them not to book flights.
The Tánaiste told Dáil: “In terms of people who book flights for Christmas to go home, I advise you not to do so for now. I know it’s hard. I know this is a difficult question.
It’s six weeks until Christmas. And I think it’s too early for people to book flights home. “
He warned that even with a move to a lower level of restrictions in December, there were still “embers of the virus” in the community “and when we meet again those embers can be stoked.”
Mr Varadkar made a comparison with an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 1967 in England when the Irish were asked not to return home.
He said there was a risk that people coming here from abroad could undo the good work of the people who helped reduce the rate of the virus during the shutdown.
Mr Varadkar also said that there was “probably a higher risk at this time from people traveling from north to south” where a different approach is being taken in Northern Ireland “.
In an Nphet briefing, Dr. Holohan echoed Varadkar’s comments to Irish living abroad not to book flights home yet.
“We are concerned about the outlook in other countries in relation to here,” he said.
“Many other countries in Europe are still in a deteriorating situation.
“I’m sure some of you have seen pictures from across Europe of some of the challenges that big cities and hospitals face.”
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