Full lockdown return is being considered because we are in “a dark and worrying place,” Minister Simon Harris has said.
He said that the emergency Cabinet meeting called for tomorrow, the second in three days he points out, will not be for “sharing Christmas greetings.”
The former Minister for Health, who was at the helm when Covid first hit in March, painted a grim picture when he addressed reporters this afternoon.
Mr Harris said that New Year’s Eve is definitely out, even if there were plans for outdoor gatherings.
And he said that the Government will “certainly” be considering the recommendation of Dr Tony Holohan, who wants the full rigour of Level 5 reintroduced.
This would see all shops that reopened this week after Christmas, like Penneys and Smyths, have to pull down the shutters again.
It would also see gyms and golf courses closed again if the Government moves to implement Dr Holohan and NPHET’s full plan.
Mr Harris, the current Minister for Higher Education, was speaking in Government Buildings ahead of tomorrow’s latest crunch Cabinet meeting.
He said: “It’s a peculiar feeling today because on one hand today is a day of great hope, a day of light, a day where we can finally see our way out of this horrific pandemic….. Though alongside that light we are in a time of great darkness in relation to Covid in Ireland, but not just in Ireland, in the UK, our nearest neighbour and indeed in many other parts of the globe.
“No matter what figure you look at, the situation in relation to Covid now is in a very bad and worrying place.
Mr Harris told the Mirror that “certainly” the return of all restrictions in a full Level 5 situation are going to be considered at Cabinet.
He added: “The Cabinet is not having its second meeting within three days just to share Christmas greetings.”
Mr Harris also said that “greater clarity” on restrictions is needed, and that this will come out of the emergency Cabinet meeting.
