Ireland To Remain in Phase 3
An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, has informed the public of his decision not to continue to phase 4 of the lockdown measures. Phase 4 would have seen a lifting of some of the measures put in place over the last year. The Irish Cabinet met today to decide on weather or not to move to phase 4. The Irish National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET)advised the government not to continue to easy restrictions. Pubs that don't serve food were hoping to re-open on the 10th of August. This comes as the first three days of August have seen a rise in the number of new cases of Covid19, with 144 reported from the 1st to the 3rd of August, 2020.
On annoucing the news An Taoiseach,Micheal Martin, said "At our last update on the national response to COVID-19, we paused Phase 4 of the plan to reopen our country based on worrying evidence of an increase in transmission of the disease within society. I wish that I was in a position to share better news today, but I am not. It is now clear that our cautious approach in mid-July was the correct approach. Evidence of increased transmission is now even clearer."
The 5 day average for confirmed new cases has increased from 7 in June to 45 in the last few days.
The news means that pubs, bars, hotel bars, nightclubs and casinos will remain closed.
The current restrictions on numbers attending indoor and outdoors gatherings will remain unchanged.
Face masks will now become mandatory in shops and shopping centres across the country. Already face coverings are mandatory on public transportation.
Five countries have been removed from the "green list". Cyprus, Malta, Gibraltar, Monaco and San Marino. Meaning anyone travel from those countries to Ireland must self-quartine for 14 days on their arrival.
The Government has asked that everyone
- wash their hands regularly
- wear a mask when on public transport and in retail settings
- practice good cough and sneeze etiquette.
- maintain social distance
- minimise your number of close contacts.