The entire country should be placed on Level 5 sanctions for a period of four weeks, with the government saying the move comes as a widespread shock and concerns over the impact of these sanctions.
While the country remains at level 2 on Monday morning – or Dublin and Donegal level 3 – government sources said the recommendation has put it in an “impossible position”.
Cabinet sources expressed deep concern about the impact of such a level of warning on the advancing economy and society, as well as whether it would be widely accepted.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) met on Sunday to discuss the growing incidence of the virus, as well as the potential impact on the health system of increasing cases.
There was a growing expectation on Sunday that a slight increase in the state’s vigilance level was likely to be recommended, with the suggestion of a complete lockdown of the republic taking the country’s political leadership by surprise.
On Sunday evening, cabinet sources reacted strongly to the adoption of the recommendation. One minister said: “My concern is that people will not accept it. People have it right now. They find these restrictions very difficult; Human contact is not in some finite form. “
The minister said Israel would be the only other country in the world with similar sanctions, if adopted.
Anger at communication
Another said the cabinet should be raised to the level of “blanket move”. There was also anger over how the news came out through the media on Sunday evening, with ministers saying a full cabinet meeting should have taken place, and the move should be taken. The nation has been informed by Taosich through an address.
Going to Level 5 will not allow any visitors into the home; No gathering except for a funeral or a wedding, where only six people can attend; No indoor events; No sporting events; And bars, cafes and rest restaurants rent are only open for withdrawal or delivery.
People will be advised to stay at home and exercise within 5 km of their home, and avoid public transport with only 25 per cent capacity for required workers.
Taosich Michelle Martin, tennis player Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Emon Ryan on Monday morning met Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony will meet with Holohan to discuss the recommendation. After that, a full cabinet meeting may follow, or further steps may be discussed by a group of senior officials appointed to consider the NPHET advice, or by a cabinet subcommittee on Covid, or both.
Personal bankruptcy
Elsewhere, the government is preparing to reform the state’s personal bankruptcy regime to allow full access to court protection for Dekaros struggling with the Kovid-19 epidemic. Currently, debtors may want to have a personal insolvency arrangement, which has been rejected by their creditors, but only if their mortgage was outstanding before the beginning of 2015.
Under a plan of progress by Justice Minister Helen Menti, it will be scrapped. “In the context of the current epidemic, these problems put homeowners at risk of jeopardizing the protection afforded by the Personal Insolvency Act, if they are struggling to pay off debt,” he said.
Meanwhile, a new study has found that threats of arrest, fines or quarantine do not encourage people to follow public health advice on Covid-19. Global trends were researched by academics at NUI Galway.
A total of 4,364 new cases of Covid-1 were reported in the state on Sunday, with no new deaths associated with the condition. Ten were killed on Saturday.
The total number of deaths related to Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland is 1,810, and the total number of confirmed cases is 38,032.
