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The Cabinet is ready to approve a plan that will allow the reopening of restaurants and gastronomic pubs, probably on Monday, December 7.
But it is anticipated that family reunions will not be allowed until December 18.
New rules around the distance between tables are also expected at the facility and the amount of time customers can stay there will be reduced.
Starting next Wednesday, all stores and hair salons will be able to open and people will be able to travel within their county and attend religious services.
It follows a five-hour meeting last night of the Covid-19 cabinet subcommittee.
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The Government had been warned by the National Public Health Emergency Team of the risks of reopening the hospitality sector, but the measure is expected to obtain the green light from the Cabinet.
Ministers have set several reopening dates, including Friday, December 4.
However, December 7 is considered more likely, as it would still allow three busy weekends for restaurants and bars serving food over the Christmas period.
There will likely be new rules regarding the distance between tables on the premises and the amount of time customers can stay will also be reduced from the previous time limit of one hour and 45 minutes.
Restaurateurs say they are eager to welcome diners inside and asked for clear and concise guidelines from the government.
The owner of L’Ecrivain in Dublin said the restaurant is full as of December 1 and needs a few days’ notice to reschedule reservations and link with suppliers.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Sally Ann Clarke said that the restaurant seats 50 safely and the reduced capacity worked very well during the summer.
Damien Allen, the owner of the Orange Goat restaurant in Ballsbridge, said he saw the slowdown in trade as an opportunity to open a second restaurant in Killester, because the commercial property market has changed and presents opportunities for cheap rentals and leases. most favorable. rates.
He said he took a lease starting in July and invested in an extensive remodeling program, adding that his Ballsbridge business has suffered from a lack of office workers and has kept only 50% of its staff.
The president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland said that NPHET and the government should explain to the people what the decisions about the relaxation of the restrictions are based on.
Professor Mary Horgan, an infectious disease consultant at Cork University Hospital, said understanding where outbreaks occur would help break the chains of infection by looking at real-time data and real-time public health surveillance.
He urged people to manage their expectations for Christmas and plan what people they want in their homes.
Professor Horgan said good news is expected in 2021 with vaccines and more treatments available, which will be additional tools alongside personal behaviors to control the virus, along with faster ways to test and break the chains of transmission.
Last night, Minister of Reform and Public Expenditure, Michael McGrath, said that while NPHET are the experts in public health, the Government has the right and the duty to take into account all the factors at play when considering whether or not to ease the restrictions. of Covid-19. .
Speaking in RTÉ’s prime time, McGrath said the government “had to find the right balance” and “would not please everyone” when making its decision.
McGrath said Christmas meant nothing to the virus and that it would take every opportunity it has to spread.
Tonight the Ministry of Public Expenditure and Reform also joined us @MMcGrathTD . He confirmed that tomorrow the government will make a decision on the reopening.
The minister also gave insight into tonight’s cabinet subcommittee meeting.#rtept pic.twitter.com/NAmAjOK4R0
– RTÉ Prime Time (@RTE_PrimeTime) November 26, 2020
Meanwhile in Northern Ireland all non-essential retail services, close contact services, hospitality and places of worship are closed under a strict two week ‘breaker’ lockout.
The measures are close to the total lockdown introduced in Northern Ireland in response to the pandemic outbreak in March.
Schools and child care services will remain open.
Prime Minister Arlene Foster said the new restrictions were necessary to reduce the infection rate.
He added that the next two weeks were critical and a lot of effort was needed to keep moving in the right direction.
“This is just for one more time.
“It is important to have hope and it is important that we push a little bit more over the course of the next two weeks.”
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