A Level 3 COVID lockdown is looking likely for Dublin with a decision on tough new measures expected later today.
A long list of restrictions is imminent if Cabinet agrees to NPHET's official recommendations made yesterday - including one with big implications for Dublin's pubs and restaurants.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and a special team of ministers must now decide if Dublin moves to Level 3 stage of the Living with COVID plan they unveiled on Tuesday.
The National Public Health Emergency Team has also advised extra restrictions for Dublin’s bars and eateries, taking indoor dining off the table completely and limiting outdoor space to just 15 people.
In essence, they would return to being takeaway-only service only like they were before being allowed to reopen if serving food back in late June.
It was joked that Dublin started out the Level Two and a Half on the day Living with COVID was launched on Tuesday.
The entire country started at Level 2 but the Government immediately announced extra restrictions for Dublin city and county.
It was confirmed that wet pubs around the country would reopen on September 21 with strict safety measures in place - but the Government deviated from their own plan when it came to Dublin.
Hundreds of the capital's already stretched bars and their staff were informed they would remain shut due to spiralling infection rates.
However furious publicans argued that they had not been the cause of a single case of covid, having been closed for almost 200 days.
If indoor dining is off the table, it will mean that Dublin's boozers and eateries have moved to Level 4 of the new Living with COVID plan.
It have serious repercussions for the city's night-time economy and hospitality industry if Dublin does move to a muted Level Three and a Half local lockdown.
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