Initial plans set forth by the government for October 22 are extremely unlikely to go ahead, as case numbers and hospital admissions continue to rise.
RTE’s Political Correspondent, Micheál Lehane, spoke to Claire Byrne this evening and said some possibilities remain but that it will be nothing like what was expected.
He told the presenter; “I think what is becoming clear tonight, as those discussions are still going on, and will go on for some time yet is that the NPHET letter does urge a pause on that original plan, which was to lift nearly all of those restrictions on Friday.
“It does also seem to offer possibilities and routes for the easing of some of the rules that should be possible if there is vigorous enforcement of the health and safety measures like mask wearing and those Covid Certs.”
Lehane went on to say that some measures, like the increase of attendees allowed at indoor and outdoor event is still on the cards, as is an extension to the opening hours of pubs across the country, however a major questions mark remains over the fate of nightclubs.
He explained; “I think when it comes to areas like increasing the attendance at indoor and outdoor events, there is a possibility , also there may be some possibilities it seems when it comes to extending the opening hours of bars and restaurants by a small amount - but the big question remains tonight, what does it mean for nightclubs - is that a possibility?”
He concluded the update by saying; “There is a route forward to make some slight changes, but it will be nothing of the magnitude or the order of what was initially planned for October 22.”
