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Gourmet restaurants and pubs may be forced to close earlier than expected as concerns mount about a surge in new Covid-19 cases.
The cabinet committee on Covid-19 will meet tonight to discuss the increase in cases and the emergence of a new strain of the virus in England.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, a senior government source said there is now a “strong feeling” that pubs and restaurants will have to close before December 30. Another government source said restaurants and pubs may be required to close as early as Christmas Eve.
Details of the plan will be finalized at the cabinet committee meeting beginning at 6.30 pm.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan will be briefed at the meeting by Medical Director Tony Holohan.
Mr. Holohan is expected to recommend shutting down the hospitality sector before the December 28 date proposed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) last week.
Limits on home visits can also be imposed earlier than expected. Currently, three households can meet in one household, and this would be reduced to just two households on December 30.
Independent.ie today revealed that inter-county travel restrictions are likely to be reintroduced before the end of the year.
The government planned to allow people to travel between counties until January 6, despite Nphet warning against the move.
However, due to a significant increase in Covid-19 cases and the emergence of a new strain of the virus in Britain, restrictions on domestic travel are now expected to come in place.
Ahead of tomorrow’s cabinet meeting, a senior government source said party leaders are considering a series of dates between St. Stephen’s Day and December 30 to reimpose the inter-county travel ban. A second government source confirmed that dates are being considered.
Online editors
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