Everything we know so far about the lifting of current restrictions

Yesterday evening, the news began to break that NPHET had given the go ahead for an easing of the majority of restrictions currently in place.

A letter from the Chief Medical Officer regarding NPHET’s recommendations was sent to Government yesterday evening, according to RTÉ.

The Cabinet will now meet today to consider NPHET’s recommendations, and agree on an exact timetable for when each restriction should be lifted.

While we don’t know exactly when the measures currently in place will be eased, there’s speculation that the 8pm curfew for hospitality could be lifted as early as this weekend.

Ministers this evening not ruling out an almost immediate lifting of the 8pm closing time on hospitality in time for the weekend.

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) January 20, 2022

Following NPHET’s recommendations, an end of the use of Covid Certs for entry to pubs and restaurants is also expected. It’s also believed that punters will be allowed to drink at the bar counter once again.

Restricted numbers for indoor and outdoor events are also set to be removed.

A phased return to work has also been recommended to give workplaces time to organise their own individual safety measures, according to The Irish Times.

According to the Irish Examiner, NPHET has recommended that limits on household visiting can now be ended, and it is also believed the two-metre social distancing requirement is also no longer deemed necessary.

It is believed that the only rules expected to remain in place will be those on mask wearing, isolating and getting tested if you’re experiencing Covid symptoms and certs being required for travel.

It’s understood from Govt sources that the only rules specifically to be retained are on facemasks, and the advice that people displaying symptoms should isolate and get tested – but otherwise the path has been largely laid for return to offices, large events and full hospitality

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) January 20, 2022

A Cabinet meeting will take place at 3pm today to discuss the changes, with an address from the Taoiseach expected for 6pm.

Here’s how the day goes:

⏰ Three coalition leaders to meet this morning to agree the timeline of restriction easing.

🏛 Cabinet at 3pm meets to approve the changes.

🎙 The Taoiseach at the podium for the familiar podium address.

Updates throughout on @VirginMediaNews

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) January 21, 2022

Header image via Shutterstock

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