Ireland has been hearing conflicting views on whether or not pubs will be able to fully open for Christmas.
As it stands now, Ireland is in a Level Five lockdown until at least December 1, with the Government previously ruling out an early exit.
The question is, what happens next?
Many expect Ireland to enter Level Three of the Living With Covid plan after these strict restrictions end, which would allow more relaxed measures for the festive season.
But that means most pubs will still remain closed, with guidance stating that only 15 people can be served in an outdoor setting during that phase.
However, while Dr Tony Holohan said he did not anticipate giving such advice, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said last week that he is hopeful of Ireland moving to Level Two in a few weeks time.
Despite some contradicting advice, here's everything we know so far:
Stephen Donnelly hopeful of Level Two for Christmas
The Minister said: “The plan for December is, for the first week of December, to open back up.
“There are various ways that can be done which will be given further consideration closer to the date, but critically to keep the country open.
“So, for example, it could be a Level 3, there is a possibility that it might be Level 2, or maybe a regional approach would be taken.”
Dr Tony Holohan 'not anticipating' giving advice on pubs reopening
The Chief Medical Officer said: “That is not our advice or the advice I anticipate giving and I’m not going to start speculating any further than that in exactly what we’re going to say.
“We’re going to give what we think is the appropriate advice and what we think is safe and effective measures that we can adopt.”
Unclear which level we will have at Christmas
NPHET member Cillian De Gascun has said it is too early to tell if Ireland will be in Level Two for Christmas.
Speaking on RTE Radio One, Dr De Gascun said: "At this stage we don't know what level we are going to be at for Christmas, we are still six/seven weeks out so trying to predict where we are going to be (is difficult).
"The key message for people to take on board is people have done very well over the last two weeks, the case numbers are down, the incidence is falling, the R rate is below 1, that's a really good sign."
Advice for pubs for Levels Two and Three, according to Government
Level Two - "Open with robust protective measures in place (for example: physical distancing, table service only, cleaning regimes, noise controls and so on).
"Maximum numbers linked to capacity of establishment, taking account of public health advice including appropriate social distancing, but with individual groups limited to 6 people from the same household."
Level Three - Restaurants and cafes (including bars or pubs serving food or wet pubs) may remain open for take-away and delivery and outdoor dining or service to an absolute maximum of 15 people.
"Wet pubs in Dublin are to remain closed."
What happens next?
The National Public Health Emergency Team will make a recommendation to the Taoiseach and Minister for Health before the current restrictions end on December 1.
We don't know what this advice will be, but we can anticipate it will be a reduction in measures, due to the tumbling incidence rate nationwide.
It will probably come down to which phase they want to move to, with Dr Holohan appearing to rule out Level Two.
However, NPHET can only give advice.
This means that the ultimate decision is made by the Cabinet, which has overruled NPHET on certain issues in the past.
Instead of moving the entire country to Level Two, another option is doing it on a county-by-county basis.
We should know the outcome in the days leading up to December 1, likely on Friday, November 27.
