من الأشهر اليوم؟

A revised reopening plan has been unveiled by Ministers which will see the easing of further restrictions on the nighttime economy coupled with the retention of public health measures until at least February 2022.
Under the plan normal trading hours in pubs, restaurants, and wider hospitality will resume and nightclubs are set to reopen, albeit it with restrictions, for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
In a statement following a Cabinet meeting this morning, the Government said specific rules will be developed for the operation of nightclubs which were likely to “involve Covid-19 passes, contact tracing data collection and wearing of facemasks except when eating, drinking and dancing”.
Religious services and weddings can proceed without capacity limits but with protective measures.

Speaking to reporters after the plan was announced Tánaiste Leo Varadkar admitted the country was not where it hoped to be with regards to the coronavirus infections and that Tuesday’s announcement would be a “disappointment” to some people.
He said two or three weeks ago the trajectory of Covid cases took a turn for the worse with rising case numbers, hospitalisations and ICU numbers.
Mr Varadkar also warned that the country was not past the peak of the Delta wave: “Indeed we are most likely experiencing a twin peak.”
Mr Varadkar said: “The pandemic isn’t over yet. We’re going to have get through at least another winter before we can say it’s behind us.”
He told reporters at a post-Cabinet briefing: “We’re not where we hoped to be or expected to be for October 22nd.” Among a range of measures announced on Tuesday, the Government confirmed that the current restrictions on hospitality will stay in place for a number of months.
Mr Varadkar said the Nphet expected Covid-19 cases to peak at the end of October, with ICU numbers peaking at around 150 by the end of November.
The Cabinet met this morning to decide which of the remaining Covid restrictions can be eased from Friday, October 22nd, in the context of a sharp rise in cases and in the numbers in hospital.
It approved the reopening of wider hospitality, entertainment and night-time economy sector with the “full range of protective measures in place and the wide and robust implementation of the Covid-19 pass.”
The latest estimates show there are around 370,000 people who have yet to be vaccinated or fully vaccinated against Covid and these people will not be able to avail of indoor hospitality.
During their meeting Ministers considered the latest recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet), which said restrictions such as mask wearing and social distancing must remain in place until February 2022.
In a letter to Ministers, the chief medical officer, Tony Holohan, warned the epidemiological situation in Ireland had deteriorated and was now uncertain and precarious.
Ministers have also decided to implement a programme of Covid-19 antigen testing (with PCR confirmation of positive cases) for people who are identified as fully vaccinated close contacts of a confirmed case and who do not have any symptoms.
Speaking before the Cabinet meeting the Taoiseach said he was a “strong believer in antigen testing” and its further use would be considered by the Government over the next 24 hours.
“Our public health officials have a more moderated perspective on the value of antigen testing. But some sectors have rolled out antigen testing, and that is something that the Government will be considering as well over the next 24 hours,” he told reporters in Sligo in advance of last night’s discussions.
The Government has also decided that the current enhanced illness benefit payment arrangements for Covid-19 will remain in place. This benefit is available at a rate of €350 a week, with no waiting days, for employees and self-employed people who are certified by a registered medical practitioner as diagnosed with Covid-19 or a probable source of infection of Covid-19.
With regards to international travel intending passengers will continue to require evidence of a valid PCR test result, unless exempt (such as vaccinated or recovered or children under 12) while airlines continue to be required to check PCR test results and to deny boarding to passengers who do not have acceptable documentation.
Last night, Niac gave approval for an extended vaccine campaign that would see booster shots provided for the over-60s.
Hundreds of thousands of people will be in line to receive the extra jab amid concerns about waning immunity from the vaccine.
Over-60s would receive shots in their GP surgeries, while mass-vaccination centres could be restarted before the end of the month.
It is understood Niac recommended a dose of the Pfizer vaccine for the 60 -to-79-years-of-age group that has been vaccinated. The booster shot will be given at least five months after the previous dose.
There were 1,578 new cases of Covid-19 reported on Monday with 484 in hospital, up 25, and 73 in intensive care. The five-day moving average of cases was 1,736, according to a statement from Nphet.