NPHET have recommended nationwide level 5 restrictions for six weeks

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) have advised the Government that Ireland should be placed in level 5 Covid-19 restrictions for six weeks.

Ireland’s daily Covid-19 cases reached a record high yesterday after 1,205 new cases were reported and, according to reports this morning, NPHET have now called for a six-week spell of level 5 restrictions in order to slow the spread of coronavirus.

At yesterday evening’s press briefing, Philip Nolan of NPHET said that “if current trends continue, by October 31, the number of cases notified daily would be in the range of 1,800 – 2,500 cases with over 400 people in hospital.”

In a letter to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly outlining the level 5 recommendations, NPHET did not mention that schools should close. Under level 5 of the National Framework for living with Covid-19, it says that recommendations for closing schools will be ‘based on the situation and evidence at the time’. Earlier this week, the counties of Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan moved into level 4 restrictions and a nationwide ban on house visits was announced.

After NPHET’s meeting yesterday and their letter of recommendation, the Government will now decide whether to take their advice on board. A fortnight ago, similar level 5 recommendations were rejected.

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