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03rd Dec 2021

NPHET advises indoor events should operate at 50% capacity

Fiona Frawley

The advice would apply to cultural, entertainment, community and sporting events.

According to RTÉ, The National Public Health Emergency has advised the Government that concerts and indoor events should operate at 50% capacity over the coming weeks.

RTÉ have said that a letter to Government from the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has advised that restrictions on indoor hospitality should be brought back to where they were before 22 October.

This could mean a return to 11.30pm closing time and no bar service, or mingling between tables.

The letter is currently being considered by senior ministers at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19, and  recommends that the proposed restrictions remain in place until 9 January.

The meeting began at 11am, and a full in-person meeting of Cabinet is set to take place at 3pm. Also among the measures recommended are that a limit be placed on household gatherings.

According to RTÉ, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath met representatives of the hospitality sector this morning to discuss the uncertainty facing the industry due to current COVID restrictions.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said yesterday that if further restrictions were to be imposed on the hospitality sector, then the Government would respond appropriately with financial supports.

Header image via Shutterstock 

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