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Proposals made to NPHET on bringing forward the easing of some restrictions, says Taoiseach

Government has proposed bringing things forward from Phase 3 to Phase 2.

THE TAOISEACH HAS told the Dáil the government has made proposals to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to bring forward the easing of some restrictions.

He said: “We have made proposals to the Chief Medical Officer and NPHET about bringing things forward from [phases] four to three and three to two.

“NPHET is considering the proposals and Government will make a decision on that on Friday morning and inform the public of the decision on Friday afternoon.”

He said from the outset, he has always said that the roadmap “is a living plan that can be accelerated if we are getting on top of and ahead of the virus”.

However, he added that one thing the government will stick with is the three-week intervals between each phase. They are there for good epidemiological reasons, he said.

“If one relaxes restrictions and the virus spreads, incubates and is tested for and so on it will be at least two weeks before that shows up in the data. We believe we should stick with the three-week intervals,” he said, pointing out that there are differing opinions between the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Control as to whether the intervals should be between two and four weeks.

“Three weeks makes sense because we need to know that if we ease restrictions they have not caused the virus to take off again. It is only after two weeks, and into the third week, before we can know that so we will stick with the three-week window – but we can bring measures forward,” he said.

On the government’s proposals to move some things forward, the Taoiseach said NPHET would consider the proposals, and a decision on the matter would be made by Cabinet on Friday morning.

In recent days, there has been speculation that the 20km limit could be lifted earlier  than Phase 4. However, yesterday Health Minister Simon Harris was cautious about tinkering with the travel guidelines, saying that there is a reason for the restrictions.

“Some parts of our country haven’t seen a case in weeks and if we all start getting in our cars and travelling there tomorrow” there is a risk of spread, he said. 

He said the strategy is based on people keeping close to their home, “and then gradually, gradually” over the course of the summer the distance will increase.

Harris said opening things too fast would risk spreading the virus to other parts of the country. The minister said that Phase 2 looked right to him in its current form.

Speaking on the issue today in the Dáil, the Taoiseach also seemed to pour cold water over the prospect of the lifting of the 20km rule on Monday. 

He said he did not agree with people who say the 5km rule or the 20km rule do not make sense.  

“If we had not had those rules in place in recent weeks we would have seen people from Dublin and Cork travelling to counties where there are no new cases and there would have been new cases in those counties.

“I totally disagree with people who are arguing that the 20km rule has no scientific basis or is not a good idea. It is a good idea and that is the travel limit that will apply in phase 2,” he said.

‘We are in an absurd situation’

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has spoken out against the travel distance guideline, saying that he does not see the justification for it. 

Speaking today in the Dáil, he indicated that travelling within Ireland is now more difficult than travelling abroad.

“We are currently in the absurd situation where it is easier for an Irish person to plan a holiday in much of Europe than it is to plan one here.  

“A range of countries this week signalled their intention to be ready to quickly lift travel restrictions and their tourist industries have begun working on the assumption that travel from Ireland will be possible without quarantine before the high-season,” he said.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has also argued for the early lifting of the 20km rule as it would help boost local tourism.

The Taoiseach was also asked about testing being carried out at airports and ports, indicating that passengers would have to pay for a test upon arrival.

“We will examine the issue of Covid-19 testing in airports and ports but it costs €200 a go so the person getting tested will have to pay for it,” he said.

The move would be similar to that in Austria, where if travellers don’t have proof of not being infected by the virus, they can pay €190 for a test at Vienna airport.

Items that are due to be included in Phase 2 are the easing of nursing home visitor restrictions, help for children with special needs, as well as the possibility of some summer camps being given the green light to open. 

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    Mute Daniel Morrissey
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    Apr 17th 2021, 12:20 AM

    Roll on the 26th change…. yawn…

    62
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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Apr 17th 2021, 12:56 AM

    @Daniel Morrissey: lol. I know how you feel. How many bloomin people over 65 are in the country. They seem to go on forever hahaha

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Apr 17th 2021, 1:12 AM

    @Anna Carr: I don’t know how many. How many people voted Fianna Fáil? In or around that amount.

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    Mute Ger
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    Apr 17th 2021, 3:06 AM

    @Anna Carr: it literally tells you in the article

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    Mute Paul Gorry
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    Apr 17th 2021, 3:16 AM

    @Ger: ah lighten up ger her comment was tongue in cheek jayus what are you not seeing there?

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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O'Keeffe
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    Apr 17th 2021, 5:13 AM

    @Daniel Morrissey: well yeah, can’t make them deliver it faster or make it ourselves so that’s what we have to do.

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    Mute Anto Curran
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    Apr 17th 2021, 8:00 AM

    @Peter McGlynn: obsessed with FF. Unless you’re playing an online game where you can try to fit FF into every comments section?

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    Mute Barbara Stewart
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    Apr 17th 2021, 11:55 AM

    @Anna Carr: Sorry for being 69 and delaying your vaccination….I could have said the same about all over 70s but I have a bit more respect!!!

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    Mute Tony Humphreys
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    Apr 17th 2021, 1:54 AM

    You lost me at the word ‘plan’. I always thought they there was only one plan – lockdown. Why do something when you can get away with nothing.

    64
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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Apr 17th 2021, 5:14 AM

    @Tony Humphreys: well you thought wrong and then refused to think about it anymore

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    Mute Keith Richardson
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    Apr 17th 2021, 1:54 PM

    @Dave O’Keeffe: well there is no published plan on reopening. I’m sure there’s one on a desk somewhere. If people were treated like adults and told this then there would be increased confidence.

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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Apr 18th 2021, 5:32 AM

    @Keith Richardson: no, if there was a widely publicised plan with an unpredictable pandemic and unreliable delivery schedules any changes would undermine the confidence you claim it would bring.

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    Mute Tarraing Mo Liathróidí
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    Apr 17th 2021, 8:02 AM

    The fact we still likely won’t restart tourism and hospitality till June or July is just mind boggling, especially given the fact MM despite some who said it was lies when I pointed out that leaky Leo said the same thing, that he can’t say we won’t go into another lockdown after this one. And given the fact the hse management seem to have done nothing except allow the waiting list balloon and get themselves a pay rise, any extra surge from even a few covid cases over the winter months makes this likely since they now have a great excuse to cover up they barely cope any winter before covid hit. So this means a lot of small businesses and retail included as well may only have a small window to open and make some much needed money, meanwhile north will be full steam ahead open end of May.

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    Mute Siobhan Rosemary
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    Apr 17th 2021, 8:35 AM

    So the AstraZeneca isnt safe to use on under 60s but is safe for under 60s who received 1st dose?? Think il pass on the second thanks. Back of the que I go lol

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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Apr 18th 2021, 5:34 AM

    @Siobhan Rosemary: that silly. 1 in a million died of a blood clot that nobody knew to be looking for. That’s different now. 12 in a million died of covid here and doctors were definitely looking for it.

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    Mute K Flan
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    Apr 17th 2021, 11:26 AM

    2 more weeks to flatten the curve

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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Apr 18th 2021, 5:35 AM

    @K Flan: the curve is flattened. Sadly the base rate is still over 300 cases per day.

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    Mute Sean Callan
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    Apr 17th 2021, 7:26 AM

    Boring boring boring all this lot has to offer

    13
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