Cabinet are to be told “there’s not a chance” the country can move to phase four, a senior source close to NPHET has said.
NPHET has also advised the government to cut the number of people gathering indoors and outdoors in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19.
An emergency Cabinet meeting is scheduled later today after NPHET met last night to discuss further recommendations following “serious concerns” about the rise in Covid-19 cases.
A senior source told the Irish Mirror “there’s not a chance” that the country will move to phase four of reopening which would see pubs remain shut.
Health and government officials are due to examine whether they should continue to pause on moving forward with phase four of the roadmap at the end of the month.
Ahead of Cabinet being briefed today, the source said over 70s will not be asked to cocoon again but NPHET has advised those who are vulnerable and elderly to protect themselves and spend less time out shopping.
The source said government officials have been advised the number of indoor and outdoor gatherings should be reduced.
Currently 50 people are allowed to gather indoors while 200 can gather outside provided such gatherings adhere to public health guidelines.
Schools are on track to reopen as planned however, their reopening is under “careful observation,” the source said, while further regional lockdowns like Kildare, Laois and Offaly have not been recommended by NPHET.
When asked if the country is set to move to phase four, the source said “there’s not a chance” and that pubs would stay shut.
They said: “Do you really believe people would accept that we reopen and move to phase four now?
“Nobody wants to go back to lockdown. Older people need to be protected.”
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