‘Tweak’ Level 3 Restrictions to Allow Indoor Dining, Says Cork TD

by



[ad_1]

The government must “modify” the Covid level 3 restrictions to allow pubs and restaurants to serve customers in the interior starting next month, the Dáil has heard.

Fianna Fáil’s TD Christopher O’Sullivan has said that “it would not be practical in the dead of winter” to allow companies to only serve cookouts when Level 5 restrictions are eased.

It comes as Medical Director Tony Holohan said that adherence to level 5 measures over the past two weeks has succeeded in further reducing community transmission and disease incidence here.

However, he said that the full six weeks of restrictions would be needed to reduce the spread of the virus and cautioned that now is not the time to become complacent.

Three other Covid-related deaths were reported last night. A total of 591 Covid cases were also confirmed, including 120 in Dublin, 75 in Donegal, 50 in Cork, 46 in Kerry and 44 in Limerick.

Speaking at the Dáil, O’Sullivan said that it is important that we now prepare for the end of the Level 5 restrictions in early December.

At level 3, restaurants and cafes can open for take out and outdoor dining for up to an absolute maximum of 15 people.

But the Cork South West TD said: “We cannot allow a situation where restaurants and pubs serving food have to rely solely on cookouts.

“It wouldn’t be practical in the dead of winter. It wouldn’t be an option.”

He said the Cabinet should now consider how to “modify” the level 3 restrictions to allow for some interior dining element, perhaps with some additional measures in place.

Ireland and Finland are now the only EU countries where reductions in incidence of 14 days have been observed. All other countries are experiencing a rate increase.

Dr. Holohan also singled out younger people who he said had made a massive effort in recent times to reduce their social contacts and stop the spread of the virus.

“The 19-24 year old age group has achieved a dramatic reduction in incidence, from 450 per 100,000 to 150 per 100,000 in two weeks,” he said.

“They have also cut their contacts in half in the last five weeks. We must all acknowledge the efforts of our youth and thank them.”

Philip Nolan, chairman of Nphet’s Irish Epidemiological Modeling Advisory Group, said the replication number is now below one.

“We estimate the breeding number between 0.7 and 0.9,” he said.

Meanwhile, an additional € 42 million in state funding has been announced for private and voluntary nursing homes to help them respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The funds will extend the temporary assistance payment plan until the end of June 2021, bringing the total amount provided from March to 134.5 million euros.

Nursing Homes Ireland CEO Tadhg Daly said the group welcomed the extension of funding and the fact that isolation rooms, which are a recommended public health measure to support nursing homes in the handling of Covid-19, now have recognition under the scheme.

State Minister Mary Butler said: “The continued need for the temporary assistance payment plan and other non-financial supports is clear, as the pandemic continues to be a feature of our lives.

“However, in addition to providing immediate support to private and voluntary nursing homes, it is important to look at the long-term outlook to ensure that actions taken now are aimed at generating lasting improvements in the way care is taken. to the residents. “



[ad_2]