To tackle further spread of Covid-19 in the country, the government has decided to impose new restrictions including closing of restaurants and pubs before midnight. The decision was taken after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The NPHET and medical experts had already advised the government to reintroduce some of the restrictions amid the surge in Covid cases in recent weeks.
From Thursday onwards, all restaurants, pubs and nightclubs in Ireland should shut their doors at midnight. It was less than a month ago the clubs and restaurants started full operation after Covid.
Though the decision was not fully opposed, the hospitality sector have called government for reintroduction of COVID Recovery Support Scheme.
“Effectively this latest announcement means that the current government strategy isn’t working,” the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) CEO Donall O’Keeffe said.
“It also needs to be acknowledged that every time the government flicks the switch on restrictions there are consequences for people’s livelihoods and the businesses that sustain those livelihoods. We will have enormous difficulty retaining our staff after this latest decision.” he added.
Other measures to prevent further virus spread include self-isolation of 10 days for people who tests positive for Covid from a lab. They have to isolate if they show symptoms. Also others who have lived in the same household with a Covid confirmed person, have to restrict their movements for the next five days.
The ministers have also agreed upon widening the use of Covid certs across different sectors including threatre and cinema halls.
An official advice from the government on the reintroduction of work from home is expected on Friday.