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A everyone’s approach to Christmas could result in Ireland plunging into another period of lockdown in January, a government minister has warned.
Ireland is due to exit Tier 5 restrictions on December 1, and the Government is set to announce plans to move forward in the coming days.
Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for the Department of Agriculture, ruled out a complete reopening of the society by Christmas.
“It makes no sense to tell people that we are going to open for two weeks at Christmas because it is a free event for everyone,” he told RTÉ’s The Week in Politics program.
A free two-week holiday for everyone at Christmas, closing after Christmas
“As difficult as it is now to get people to adhere to the regulations, a free two-week vacation for everyone at Christmas, which will close after Christmas.”
She continued, “We have a week or so now to really buckle up, obey what we’ve been asked to do.
“Young and old should really be united to do this.
“Ultimately, we will have to act in accordance with the public health councils and that is the most important piece.”
Third block
The minister’s comments come as a public health expert warned that the Republic will face a third blockade starting in January, in an event that could be avoided.
Health systems professor at DCU Anthony Staines said the country is likely to still see more than 100 cases a day in December.
Professor Staines said the lockdowns were set to continue until key policy changes are made.
Last night four more deaths were seen and 344 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed, and the State surpassed the more than 70,000 infections since the start of the pandemic.
Professor Staines said the current reduction in the number of daily cases, down from recent highs of more than 1,000 new infections each day, is a credit to the Irish public.
Ireland
Ireland faces a third lockdown as early as January, p …
Public health chiefs have warned that progress in reducing levels of the virus during the shutdown has stalled and say the next two weeks will be critical.
Intense discussions between the government and Nphet are expected in the coming days about future restrictions.
Coalition party leaders will meet on Monday, in an attempt to formulate a plan to break out of the current lockdown and handle the pandemic over the Christmas period.
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