According to An Taoiseach, the priority is to reopen schools and keep capacity in hospitals.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that we have to be “very very cautious” moving forward, adding that the priority is to reopen schools and health services. Martin also voiced concerns about moving forward with the government roadmap – with the National Health Emergency Team (NPHET) echoing the same concerns after noting a spike in numbers.
Due to begin on Monday, July 20th, both pubs and nightclubs were expected to be allowed to reopen. However, a lack of government guidelines on the matter has led to many publicans making the decision to push out their reopening date – including popular Dublin spot Grogans who have described the lack of clarity as “disheartening”.
Warning that house parties and international travel could delay the reopening of schools, Martin commented that “congregations in indoor settings is presenting a problem”.
“30 or 40 people in a house at house parties is an issue and we have to be very strong in terms of our messaging around travel as well with a view to keeping the rate down.
That will be our objective in the coming weeks with the overarching aim of getting schools open and non-Covid strands of medicine open and freeing our hospital capacity.”
Encouraging people to continue adhering to public health advice and practicing proper handwashing and hygiene, he later added that any “slippage” between now and the end of August could also undermine efforts to reopen schools.
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