[ad_1]
Reform and Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath has said that current restrictions and guidelines related to Covid-19 remain in effect until the government publishes a medium-term plan to live with the virus next week.
The stricter restrictions on home visiting in Dublin and a possible delay in the reopening of pubs in the capital are understood to be among the latest recommendations made by the National Public Health Emergency Team to the Government.
It may mean that only six visitors will be allowed, from two other households, rather than three other households.
It occurs as Covid-19 cases in Dublin continue to rise.
Yesterday 196 new cases of the virus were announced, 107 of them in the capital.
The government is not expected to make a decision on the NPHET council until Tuesday’s cabinet meeting when it publishes its plan for living with the virus.
The general plan is set to be a roadmap for at least the next six months.
Last night on RTÉ’s Prime Time, McGrath said they will discuss the draft plan at that time and, for now, the current Covid-19 guidance still applies.
Minister McGrath also said that the government will not win the battle against the virus with the heavy hand of the law and that it is about doing the simple things right.
Speaking about the same program, Professor Sam McConkey said the public health recommendation to reduce three households to two visiting another home will make a difference.
While in relation to the opening of pubs in Dublin later this month, he said he believed only some should open in areas where there are few amounts of the virus.
Latest coronavirus stories
The World Health Organization says that data to date suggests that 80% of Covid-19 infections are mild or asymptomatic, 15% are serious oxygen-requiring infections, and 5% are critical and require ventilation.
Generally, you must be 15 minutes or more close to and within two meters of an infected person to be considered at risk or in close contact.
[ad_2]