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Health Minister Stephen Donnelly tested negative for coronavirus.
The Fianna Fail TD had been feeling unwell this afternoon and, on the advice of the acting medical director, Dr. Ronan Glynn, had arranged to be tested for Covid-19.
The fact that Mr. Donnelly had been asked to do so caused a chaotic few hours in government buildings as the Dail was first suspended for a week before returning tonight and members of the cabinet restricting their movements.
Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail announced to the TDs at the Dail that the ministers were restricting his movements and that he was adjourning the session.
However, the TDs were back on camera at 8pm at the request of Taoiseach Micheal Martin.
But with the negative outcome, things are expected to return to normal for the country’s top politicians, as well as for Dr. Glynn, who had also restricted their movements.
(Image: Gareth Chaney / Collins)
Minister Donnelly had reported on his illness following their joint presentation of the new Living with Covid roadmap earlier today.
Dr. Glynn advised her to be safe and to contact her GP to get tested for Covid-19.
This response time of a few hours is much faster than a member of the public can expect to receive a result – the HSE says you can expect it within three days, but it could take longer and you should isolate yourself in the meantime.
The latest coronavirus figures released by the National Public Health Emergency Team Tuesday night revealed three more deaths with Covid-19.
357 new cases of the virus have been confirmed in the last 24 hours of the report, 218 of which occurred in Dublin.
The deaths bring Ireland’s coronavirus death toll to 1,787.
There have been a total of 31,549 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Meanwhile, the six-month, medium-term plan for living with coronavirus is structured around five different levels of restrictions, numbered one through five.
Each county in Ireland has been given a risk level of status two, but several additional restrictions are being applied to Dublin, which fall short of level three status.
The capital of Ireland has seen a marked increase in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks.
Additional restrictions in the city and county of Dublin in general will mean that pubs that do not serve food have to remain closed when those in the rest of the country open next week.
Revealing the plan, Martin said: “We must continue to live with the reality that Covid-19 is life-threatening, causes long-term disease, and we must limit the spread.
“When the vaccine is available, we will act quickly to implement a generalized vaccination program, however, I want people to understand that even before that date, we can go much further in opening up the economic, social and cultural life of our country.
“We can do this if we work together to implement the comprehensive plan, which we are launching today.”
In level two risk status, gatherings of six people from no more than three households are allowed in homes and gardens.
Up to 15 people can meet in other outdoor settings.
Up to 50 guests can attend a wedding ceremony, and the same number can attend indoor controlled events, such as a sports match.
Up to 200 people can watch sports in open-air stadiums with capacity for at least 5,000 people.
Martin said that people in Dublin would not be able to attend sporting events in the same number allowed in the other 25 counties in the state.
In the capital, gatherings of six people in homes and gardens can only involve a maximum of two homes.
“This is a plan that gives clarity on each of our responsibilities and how different situations and sectors will be handled,” added the Taoiseach.
“It includes concrete measures that address both established and emerging problems.
“It shows how we can limit the impact of the virus while keeping our schools open, protecting and expanding employment, reopening services, and supporting social and cultural activity.”
Martin described the plan as “comprehensive and comprehensive.”
He added that it has three fundamental pillars: protecting health, strengthening employment and supporting communities.
“Supporting this, there is a new approach to ongoing management of the Covid response and clarity for people on what will happen in different scenarios,” explained Mr. Martin.
“The protection of public health remains absolute clarity. The plan sets out clear public health guidelines that we must all follow.
“We must never forget the fact that the virus is still here and each of us has a personal responsibility to try to limit its spread.
“This new phase implies the introduction of a new framework of restrictive measures.
“There will be an improved monitoring and enforcement system to guide this rapid and targeted response to outbreaks and we will act decisively to address the fact that there are other health concerns that need to be addressed.”
He said the current Covid-19 cases in Dublin are “very concerning.”
Appealing to city residents, he said: “Rising infection rates can be reversed through concerted public action and with all this following guidance and taking personal responsibility.”
At other events, Martin announced an additional € 600 million funding package to help the country’s health service cope with winter pressures.
He also said that the government had decided to “broadly support” the European Commission’s travel proposals.
The EU is working on a “traffic light” system to open international travel across the bloc.
You would see countries with a red, orange, or green travel status.
The plan is due to be finalized at an EU meeting next month.
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