The three Coalition leaders will meet at midday at Government Buildings to consider recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team on the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, in advance of a full Cabinet meeting at 3pm. NPHET has given the green light to ending most of the restrictions and, because it did not specify any timeline, has left it up to the Cabinet to decide on the speed by which this will happen. The Cabinet is also likely to examine Covid-19 financial supports at today's meeting.
Sources suggest a "short extension" of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is likely beyond 7 February, when it was due to drop to €207. The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme, and Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, are also to be looked at. Early indications ahead of Government discussions suggest that normal opening times for bars and restaurants could resume as early as tomorrow. It is likely too that sports events planned for this weekend could be permitted to operate at full capacity. It is expected that the decisions around this will be left in the hands of individual operators. NPHET told the Government last night that it is supportive of lifting almost all Covid-19 restrictions and that analysis has cleared the way for Cabinet to act swiftly. Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said last night that it was "reasonable to expect" that Ireland will exit Covid-19 regulations more quickly than what would have been expected just a few days ago. It had been widely expected that the earlier closing time for the hospitality sector would be lifted from next week, however ministers could now lift all other Covid-19 restrictions on customers at the same time. Comments are closed.
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