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Nightclubs will be permitted to reopen using Digital Covid Certificates under the government’s new reopening plan – and limits on the number of people who can attend weddings and other religious ceremonies will be lifted under the governments reopening plans.
his Friday will no longer mark the end of Covid rules amid fears over increasing case numbers and hospitalisations.
The Government is announcing its revised reopening plan, following the latest advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team | Live #Covid19 blog: https://bit.ly/3jfQTe3
Posted by RTÉ News on Tuesday, October 19, 2021
The Cabinet is expected to accept advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) that it is too soon to declare the pandemic effectively over in Ireland.
The Cabinet is discussing plans to ease the remaining Covid restrictions while also using antigen tests and booster vaccines to tackle the virus.
Now, the Government must decide today whether to lift the curfew on night-time hospitality – but extended use of Digital Covid Certificates into the winter months is certain.
Here is what we know so far:
Nightclubs
Ministers have agreed plans to allow nightclubs return but only under a new regime of strict protocols for revellers.
The certificates are now expected to be part of nightclubs’ reopening, where venues will have to follow strict protocols.
There will be engagement between government and nightclub industry on how to open safely.
It is unclear when they will be permitted open but the government want it to happen as soon as possible.
The use of antigen tests will be promoted on a voluntary basis for high risk indoor activities.
Sports
The return to full capacity sports stadiums will be permitted from Friday under the plan on the basis it is an outdoor activity.
Hospitality (pubs and restaurants)
Restrictions on hospitality are expected to remain in place until at least February next year – they agreed to follow Nphet’s advice on retaining the use of masks and covid digital certificates for indoor hospitality.
The Cabinet has agreed to lift restrictions on pub opening hours.
Table service only will continue to be a rule – and maximum 10 adults at a table.
Return to office
The Government is expected to shun a major return to office next week, and instead continue to encourage office workers to return to the workplace on a gradual basis.
“This should continue on a phased and cautious basis,” the Taoiseach said.
Weddings
Limits on the number of people who can attend weddings and other religious ceremonies will be lifted under the governments reopening plans.
Boosters
Meanwhile, over-60s will soon be able to avail of Covid-19 booster vaccine shots following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac).
The extension of boosters will be an essential element of the Government’s plan to tackle the resurgent virus.
It is hoped the HSE can begin administering boosters to over-60s as soon as possible.
Niac’s advice will be discussed by Cabinet today.
Antigen testing
Also, antigen testing will finally be scaled-up as the Government is expected to delay lifting the final Covid-19 restrictions.
Ahead of the meeting, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly suggest antigen tests may be given to people who are deemed closed contacts of people who tests positive for Covid.
The rapid tests may also be used to allow people visit relations in hospitals and nursing homes.
What else?
The party leaders met last night to discuss advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team on existing plans to ease almost all restrictions on October 22.
The rising number of new Covid-19 cases has put a significant strain on the health service again and has force a rethink on reopening plans.
As part of the plans to address the new wave of cases, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is also pushing for more widespread use of antigen tests across government department.
Mr Donnelly is frustrated that his Cabinet colleagues have not taken advantage of an expert group on antigen testing which he established during the summer. The group, chaired by chief scientist Mark Ferguson, is available to provide advice to all department on utilising antigen tests.
However, at present the tests are only being used in healthcare settings and in third-level education.
Yesterday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he is a “strong believer in antigen testing” and said he wants a further role out of the programme.
“Our public health officials have a more moderated perspective on the value of antigen testing but some sectors have rolled out antigen testing and that is something that the Government will be considering as well over the next 24 hours,” Mr Martin said.
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has run pilot schemes in universities which have seen students and staff avail of the rapid tests before going to classes.
The department is sponsoring the UniCov project, which is being carried out in four locations. UCD, UCC, NUI Galway and Trinity College.
The HSE has carried out a pilot in five further and higher education locations, and has extended it to seven sites this autumn.
As of last week, 11,217 tests were carried out with less than 1pc showing a positive result. Around 60pc of those participating in the pilot testing schemes are students and 40 per cent are staff.
Anyone with a positive test is referred for a PCR test, in line with public health advice.
Separately, the Taoiseach indicated the use of Digital Covid Certificates, masks and physical distancing measures will continue beyond this Friday,
Mr Martin has denied the country is going through a “Groundhog Day” scenario.
However, he acknowledged the rise in hospitalisations and admissions to intensive care units (ICUs) is causing concern.
The majority of public health measures were scheduled to end on Friday but the Government is now likely to take a more cautious approach. Speaking in Sligo, the Taoiseach said: “That said we are in a much different space and situation to this time last year because of vaccination.”
Asked about concern among those planning social events about what lay ahead Mr said: “The continuation of the Covid certs is certainly an item on the agenda as is mask wearing and so on.”
Mr Martin said vaccinations had transformed the situation in terms of our capacity to deal with and cope with Covid-19.
“So we would encourage people out there who have still not been vaccinated to get vaccinated and particularly those with first dose to get their second dose,” he said.
Mr Martin insisted that it had not been a mistake to herald October 22 as a date for the lifting of all restrictions.
“No, I mean back then we were on a very good trajectory and up to last week public health (advice) was positive enough about the ways things were going.”
Mr Martin said there was no conflict between the Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn and the Government on remote working.
In a Twitter video on Friday, Dr Glynn suggested that people should work from home into next year.
Mr Martin said the Government announced in September there would be a phased return to the workplace.
“That was government policy as stated in September following decisions taken by government. There has been no change yet. ”
“This isn’t an absence of clarity – essentially it’s that Covid is behaving in a certain way. It has caused an increase in cases, an increase in the number of hospitalisations.
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