Ireland Lockdown Updates LIVE: Pubs Level 5 exit plans emerge as Micheal Martin throws a Christmas domestic coup



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Welcome to Dublin Live’s Irish Lockdown Blog, where this week we’ll bring you the latest on Level 5 exit plans.

The ministers will meet today in an attempt to finalize plans for the best-case scenario of easing restrictions before December 1.

It is understood that they will push for the reopening of stores, restaurants and churches along with the eventual relaxation of travel restrictions.

However, ministers are concerned about the reopening of pubs that do not serve food for the rest of 2020 with great doubts about their future this year.



Micheal Martin speaking with journalists

In addition to this, Micheal Martin appeared to deal a blow to the number of people allowed for home visits during Christmas.

With the second shutdown scheduled to end on December 1, the Taoiseach said the government must “take into account” how the ban on home visits during Level Three helped stop the spread of the disease.

Noting that there may be strict rules on how many households should be mixed over Christmas, he said: “What has emerged is the movement in restricting households after it was introduced during Level Three seems to have had an impact, so we have to Bear that in mind as we move into December.

“Level Three and the restriction of homes that we brought in and then Level Five worked and has worked.

“There has been a narrative around this that I don’t think is useful or accurate, it has worked, we reduced the numbers.”

The news comes after Dublin Live previously reported that wet pubs will be closed for the holiday season, while restaurants will be able to reopen if daily cases drop below 300.

The hotel industry has been told that the magic number of Covid cases that will allow for a massive reopening of restaurants next week will be “in the 200s.”

Gastronomic bars will also receive the go-ahead, but some form of the controversial “€ 9 substantial meal” will continue to apply.

But the chances of wet pubs getting some respite are out, and a source told Dublin Live this afternoon: “sadly, there’s no hope for wet pubs.”

Follow our Live Blog below for the latest Covid-19 news today and this week:



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