[ad_1]
The Government will meet this afternoon to decide on new restrictions aimed at curbing the Covid-19 pandemic.
The eyes and ears of the country will be fixed on government buildings today, as Cabinet discusses level five recommendations issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
NPHET has advised the government to implement level five restrictions, the strictest possible under the Living with Covid plan, over a six-week period, amid a growing number of cases.
We hope to hear by tonight if the State has heeded NPHET’s advice and, if not, what measures will be implemented.
(Image: Julien Behal Photography / PA Wire)
This is all you need to know about when and how the government will communicate its decision.
The Covid Cabinet subcommittee will meet mid-morning
Ireland’s top ministers will meet again this morning to discuss the current situation, following tough talks on Saturday with Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan.
The committee is chaired by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, with the following members: Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, and Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath.
These ministers will meet in a closed circle before a great day for the Government.
Full cabinet to convene in the afternoon
After the morning subcommittee meeting, the full cabinet will meet in the afternoon to discuss in detail how to proceed with the new restrictions.
Today’s cabinet meeting is the first since NPHET’s bomb recommendation Thursday night.
There is likely to be a robust debate among ministers on the safest way for Ireland to control a rampant virus while minimizing damage to the economy.
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris yesterday paved the way for a move to at least level four when he admitted that level three “has not worked in terms of getting the virus where it needs to go.”
Taoiseach announcement expected tonight
After the cabinet meeting, there will likely be a hectic few hours as the country searches for information on exactly what measures the government has chosen to implement.
It seems likely that we will move to level four, but with additional restrictions, what some people call “level four or more.”
It appears that schools will remain open under the anticipated measures, but reports this morning suggested there was some disagreement among the three Coalition parties over some restrictions.
Regardless, we’ll find out tonight what exactly the plan is, with an expected announcement from Taoiseach Micheál Martin tonight.
How long before the measures take effect?
This is an important question. It is not yet entirely clear when the measures will take effect, but many government ministers are said to be willing to allow an introductory period of a few days before any new restrictions.
This would give businesses and organizations a few days to get their affairs in order before tougher measures come into play, likely to force many businesses to close their doors.
How long are they likely to last?
NPHET is pushing for a six-week lockdown, but reports this morning suggest the government is unlikely to agree to such a long period of restrictions. Instead, it appears that we are ready for three to four weeks of new measures, as the government tries to soften the economic blow of a lockdown while also moving to control the virus.
Six weeks at level four could cost up to a billion euros in support costs and result in the loss of around 115,000 jobs, the figures show.
[ad_2]