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The Government is expected to announce a change to a combination of Level 4 and Level 5 restrictions for the entire country as the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise.
Considerable differences of opinion remain on how far the government should go after Nphet briefed coalition leaders on the recommendation to move to level 5 restrictions.
It comes when 1,283 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were announced tonight, while three other people died from the virus.
A government source said that the Cabinet is now likely to decide to introduce level 4 restrictions across the country with some additions. The closure of alfresco dining is being considered, as well as a travel limit.
It is understood that the majority of those who attended Saturday’s meetings in Government Buildings agreed that the proposal to impose level 5 restrictions for six weeks will not be accepted.
“There is no agreement, but there is certainly a feeling that six weeks is too long, it would be very difficult to ask people for that, a shorter period would be more manageable,” said a senior government source who attended the conference.
He added that a four-week period is more likely and the situation will be reviewed later.
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris confirmed that the government will take “decisive” action on Monday, adding that the Level 3 restrictions “have not worked.”
“It is now clear that the virus exists at such a level throughout our community, a county by county approach would not be enough. So we will have to implement more restrictions. Level 3 has not worked in terms of getting the virus to where we need it to. arrive, “Harris said.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, and Public Minister Michael McGrath are understood to be in favor of keeping as much of the economy open as possible and not going beyond level 4 .
Other considerations are being taken into account, including the impact that new restrictions would have on people’s mental health, as well as a possible increase in domestic violence.
However, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar was said to be “enthusiastic” about a move towards stricter measures.
“The Taoiseach is willing to tighten the restrictions, but has not especially said whether we should move to level 4 or 5,” said a senior source.
Those who advocated not going beyond Level 4 restrictions pointed to the fact that the latest measures had only been in effect for 12 days and therefore the full impact had not been felt.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is understood to have raised the possibility of introducing a bubble system that has been adopted in New Zealand.
This would allow single-parent and single-parent families to “join” another home for social visits.
It would also allow single parents to share childcare tasks with another family member or an adult.
It is understood that this idea is being seriously studied and further developed before tomorrow’s cabinet meeting.
Fine Gael ministers met this morning, while Taoiseach Micheál Martin contacted his ministers individually ahead of tomorrow’s cabinet meeting.
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