Cabinet to decide on Phase Four restrictions today

 

The government will decide this evening whether or not to move to phase four of the easing of Coronavirus restrictions.
It comes after the National Public Health Emergency Team expressed concern about the move.
Moving to phase four would see the re-opening of all pubs, nightclubs and casinos and an increase in public gatherings, with 100 people able to meet indoors and 500 outdoors.
It’s due to happen from Monday, but first will require cabinet approval this evening.
Last night the National Public Health Emergency team expressed concern about moving to what would be the final phase of the re-opening of the economy.
Much of the concern relates to the number of young people getting the virus and an increase in the reproductive rate.
Many pubs that were due to reopen are still awaiting advice on whether or not they can.
Cabinet is also due to discuss air travel today.
There’ve been calls for stricter rules around who is allowed into the country after anecdotal reports of tourists not respecting the self-isolation guidelines.
Ministers have said they don’t plan to ban any flights from coming into the country, but will be stepping up how they track people who do arrive to make sure they are self isolating.
While Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has pointed out people who lie on the passenger locator forms can be subject to criminal sanction already, if they’re caught.