The National Public Health Emergency Team meeting today to discuss recommendations to government about ‘cautious’ relaxation of restrictions on the 5km limit

Easing of the 5km limit, outdoor sports, and the possibility of larger groups meeting up outdoors are due to be considered this week by government. 

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will meet today to discuss what recommendations it will give to government. 

The Cabinet sub-committee on Covid will then meet this evening to discuss what easing might be possible. This meeting is attended by the deputy chief medical officer, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan as well as a select number of ministers and top level senior servants. 

While the decision on what restrictions will be eased will be largely made at that meeting, a full cabinet meeting will needed to rubber stamp the decisions on Tuesday. It is expected the Taoiseach will then do a public address to the nation, most likely around 6pm that evening. 

The Taoiseach has already flagged well in advance what is being considered.The lifting of the 5km exercise limit is a definite, with ministers to consider raising it to 10-20km or county-wide, or whether to remove the restriction altogether.

There will be a big emphasis on outdoor activities, with the opening up of outdoor sports for children expected to be given the green light. It’s expected guidance will also allow for outdoor sports for all, where social distancing is possible, such as golf, tennis, and fishing.

While this will be welcome news to many, it is believed that not all the measures will kick in on the same date  instead the government is opting for phased basis approach.It is understood that the government will consider allowing more households to meet outside  with sources stating that they are acutely aware of peoples’ mental health at this point, with some acknowledging that such meet ups are already happening.

Reopening the construction sector will also be discussed.

Housing Minister Daragh O’Brien has been calling for the sector to get the green light to reopen since before Christmas.Up to 800 house completions a week are being lost each week while parts of the building sector remains closed, with the industry arguing that Ireland is the only country in the EU where construction was halted. 

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told his party members this week that the full reopening of schools in April is a priority for government. However, one minister said the reopening of construction must be a priority. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said yesterday he would like to see an increase in construction activity, but only if public health advice allowed.

The Taoiseach indicated last week that the numbers allowed to attend funerals will be looked at again, but he also said he could give no guarantee that there would be any changes. 

Government sources stated that they are acutely aware of people’s frustrations but say they are doing their utmost to ensure that the most vulnerable are vaccinated by mid-May.

In April, vaccine supply will ramp way up, with one source highlighting at the weekend that 23,000 vaccines were given out on Wednesday and 27,000 on Thursday, noting that every jab done represents progress.

By yesterday, there were 760,168 doses of Covid-19 vaccines administered in Ireland.

  • 548,945 people have received their first dose
  • 211,223 people have received their second dose

Due to the B117 variant, the government is understood to still be very conscious of the number of contacts people will have over the next few months, which is why there will be a big concentration on the outdoors.The approach from government is believed to be one of understanding of the level of public frustration, with the main aim to increase the vaccine rollout in April, and get the most vulnerable protected.

Micheál Martin is expected to give a broad outline of the possibility of a wider easing of restrictions in May and June. Such future measures will depend on case numbers and vaccination numbers proving favourable.

source: The journal

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