A major U-turn from the Government will see Ireland face the reintroduction of some restrictions after Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the Covid-19 situation in Ireland as “serious.”
Cabinet have agreed on a number of measures and Mr Martin is to give a State of the Nation address at 6pm on Tuesday.
Senior sources have indicated it’s likely more restrictions may be needed in the coming weeks.
Here is what is expected to be announced by the Taoiseach later today:
Pubs, restaurants and nightclubs will have a new closing time of midnight from Thursday
People will have to restrict their movements for five days if they are a household contact and will have to take three antigen tests in a new policy change
People will be told to work from home which NPHET have recommended
Vaccine passes will NOT be required for access to hairdressers, barbers or gyms but they will be used for access to theatres and cinemas.
Strict rules around mask wearing for indoor and outdoor settings
Antigen tests will be made more affordable for the people - this has to be worked on for a number of days.
NIAC, the State’s vaccine advisory body has given the go-ahead for booster jabs for people aged in their 50s and for people aged under 50 with underlying health conditions.
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Government Ministers are also expected to reexamine the pandemic unemployment payment as the PUP was cut again by €50 on Tuesday.
NPHET has warned the Government that an optimistic scenario would see 5,000 cases a day at the peak and the pessimistic scenario could see 12,000 cases a day if there is not a break in the transmission of the disease.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan also warned that between 400-500 people could end up in ICU in the worst-case scenario.
NPHET believes the peak of the virus, the large wave of infection, will not come until the end of November or into early December.
Reacting to the news that pubs will have to close at midnight from Thursday, the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) said this will be extraordinarily difficult for those working in late bars, nightclubs and the rest of the late night sector and will place considerable pressures on livelihoods in the run up to Christmas.
Spokesman Donall O’Keeffe said: “We were told that if we waited until the majority of the public was vaccinated we would be able to get back to trading.
“Well we waited and that wasn’t enough.
“Like the rest of the country, of course we are conscious of the worsening health situation. “But this will still be really hard news for those working in the sector to take.
“It also needs to be acknowledged that every time the Government flicks the switch on restrictions there are consequences for people’s livelihoods and the businesses that sustain those livelihoods.
“In the short term it is critical that the Government immediately outlines the reintroduction of the full level of supports for the people who will once again find themselves out of work and for the businesses who employ them.
“When will we be in a position to allow that sector to reopen and trade again?
“Will we have to go through this whole process again and again?
“What is to stop this cycle from repeating itself next year?”
