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CABINET WILL MEET today to discuss the Level 5 exit plan, as everything indicates that the country will return to Level 3 restrictions, with some modifications as of December 1.
While it was speculated that the public announcement could be made on Thursday, so as not to clash with the Late Late Toy Show, it is understood that the government plans to release the details on Friday with the Taoiseach giving a national address.
Yesterday, Micheál Martin said that “no decisions have yet been made” on exactly what restrictions will follow Level 5.
He said there will be meetings with the National Public Health Emergencies Team (NPHET) and the Covid-19 subcommittee this week, and that the Cabinet will meet a second time later in the week to discuss the most up-to-date data before it is done. an ad.
“We will collaborate with NPHET and I have been in contact with the Medical Director. Obviously, NPHET will give their advice, but the government will decide how we get out of Level 5 and that will be a government decision that will be made this week, either around Thursday or Friday, ”he said.
However, he added that the government, not NPHET, would make the last call.
Government sources say today’s cabinet meeting will be important, and while ministers and the Taoiseach will not make a “final call” on the level of restrictions, it will give a good indication of the direction the country is heading for Christmas. .
When asked about the timing of the public announcement, a government source said that “we are all aware of the Toy Show problem,” stating that if the Taoiseach gives an address, it will not clash with the show.
What to Expect
The Taoiseach said yesterday that the Level 3 and Level 5 restrictions have worked in terms of reducing the number of cases. He seemed positive about moving away from Level 5 restrictions.
There will be good news for retailers as all non-essential stores are ready to reopen.
It is understood that retailers will also be given the green light to extend opening hours. While such a move generally requires planning permission, local authorities are believed to have been working hard with businesses to facilitate longer opening hours.
This is to mitigate the crowds of shoppers descending on retailers in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
The main battlefield for the government is whether pubs and restaurants will reopen in December.
Under the current draft plan, it is understood that the goal is to keep restaurants open permanently after the closure ends next week.
However, there are doubts in government circles that wet pubs have the green light to reopen.
They claim that final decisions have not yet been made. However, it is understood that in order to allow the opening of restaurants and pubs that serve food, one option being considered is to delay their reopening by one week from December 1.
Pubs that serve food may also need to close earlier.
“We have analyzed a lot of research on this, we have analyzed what happened in August, September and October, we have analyzed international data. There are super spread events, meetings and congregation facilitate the spread of the virus. Meetings and congregation with alcoholic events facilitate the spread of the virus. Ultimately, vigilance is key, human behavior is key, ”the Taoiseach said yesterday.
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In terms of restrictions on home visiting, it is believed that the restrictions could be lifted for Christmas week, focusing more on choice and personal responsibility, rather than rigid recommendations on numbers by the government.
However, the public will be asked to limit themselves to mingling in perhaps a main gathering during the Christmas period.
Inter-county travel will also be allowed so that people can go home to see friends and family. Mass and religious worship will also be reopened.
“This Level 5 has been difficult and the restrictions in homes have been difficult for people. That has been very difficult for people. We get it, we get it.
“The good news is that what you are doing is working. We manage our hospitals in terms of ICU numbers and in terms of hospitalization. We have kept our schools open. We have kept our schools open thanks to everyone involved, ”Martin said yesterday.
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