As the country battles through the latest Delta surge, the vaccination rollout continues to see high volumes of the population receiving their Covid-19 jabs.
Next week, Taoiseach Micheal Martin is set to announce the latest roadmap for the easing of restrictions in the coming weeks.
Cabinet Ministers will meet on Friday with the Chief Medical Officer, NPHET members and HSE boss Paul Reid, who will give Coalition leaders their advice ahead of Government finalising plans to lift all remaining Covid-19 restrictions.
Cabinet is due to sign off on the fresh roadmap on Tuesday and Mr Martin is expected to address the nation outlining the phased exit out of remaining restrictions.
This week it emerged that Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has advised the Government that over 90% of people aged over 16 should be fully vaccinated before significant restrictions are lifted.
Dr Holohan penned a letter to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly with updated advice from NPHET. The Irish Mirror understands that Dr Holohan has said other criteria such as the rate of infections should be stable as well as case numbers before the Government relaxes more rules.
NPHET has said that more than 90% of people aged over 16 would have to be fully vaccinated before the next phased exit from pandemic measures can be considered.
If the Government adopts NPHET’s advice, it could mean restrictions may not be lifted until October.
However, there is a slight possibility the restrictions could be lifted sooner in late September as Ministers are said to be frustrated with the moving timeline.
Senior Government sources are frustrated that the finish line “keeps moving” as Ministers are expected to push for the relaxation of Covid measures soon - despite NPHET looking for more time.
A senior Government source said “the finish line keeps moving” and the finish line “always seems to be ‘a few weeks’ away.”
Dr Holohan's letter did not suggest restrictions should be removed in phases and no dates were provided in the letter, either.
But the view is that “ending all legal restrictions on a single day is not a great idea".
A senior figure noted it could be mid-October “or longer” before the vaccination target put forward by NPHET is achieved - and the threshold is a high one to reach.
It would be “optimistic” if the nightclubs and casinos reopened in October as normal, the source added.
Coalition leaders will aim to tease out with Dr Holohan what sector of society can reopen in the interim as it is not clear from the NPHET letter what they are advising can be opened before the vaccine target is met.
It’s understood that Tanáiste Leo Varadkar wants to see the relaxation of some restrictions such as the reopening of bingo halls, bowling alleys and indoor yoga and fitness classes next month, even if only for people who are fully vaccinated or immune.
It's understood Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Catherine Martin has indicated waiting a further six weeks for the return of the live entertainment industry would be unacceptable.
There are also discussions about social distancing and mask-wearing being advised into next year.
A return to workplaces and offices is now not expected until October.
