‘Potential easing’ of restrictions expected ahead of NPHET meeting next week

NPHET are expected to meet next Thursday to discuss a potential easing of restrictions for the beginning of February.

A tweet from Mícheál Lehane earlier this week reads:

Increasing optimism politically that a major easing of restrictions could be possible from the beginning of February.

Increasing optimism politically that a major easing of restrictions could be possible from the beginning of February. Much hinges on NPHET meeting on Thursday next week.

— Mícheál Lehane (@MichealLehane) January 12, 2022

The Restaurants Association of Ireland have added today that a Cabinet meeting is expected to follow on Tuesday 25th, with an “announcement on potential easing of restricting expected later that day“.

The current restrictions, including the 8pm closure for hospitality, are currently scheduled to remain in place until Sunday January 30th.

🚨Upcoming Meetings re Restrictions

NPHET meet Thursday 20th Jan

Cabinet meeting expected Tues 25th with announcement on potential easing of restricting expected later that day

Current restrictions of 8pm closure were scheduled to be in place until Sunday 30th January 2022 https://t.co/la1CmeZ2Jk

— Restaurants Association of Ireland (@RAI_ie) January 14, 2022

As it stands, the 8pm closure for pubs, restaurants and indoor cultural and sporting events has been in place since the 20th of December last year. A maximum of 6 adults are allowed per table at a pub or restaurant, and you’re required to show proof of either vaccination or recovery to be permitted entry. Earlier this week Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland suggested that the Government should publish the scientific data it received from NPHET which led to the introduction of the 8pm curfew.

As of yesterday, there were 18,904 new cases in Ireland and 1,011 patients in hospital. However, the HSE have said the hospital rate has slowed with the less virulent Omicron variant. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly told RTÉ yesterday that the Government is keeping the end of restrictions “under very close review”.

Header image via Shutterstock 

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