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Covid-19: Here's when to expect next week's summer re-opening decisions

Cabinet will meet on Friday this week.

THE GOVERNMENT WILL next week give a detailed and “comprehensive” statement on plans for travel, aviation, entertainment, sport and mandatory hotel quarantine as part of the next phase of reopening for June and July.

Micheál Martin told his parliamentary party meeting this week that there is a necessity to restore travel and aviation, adding that substantive work on the evaluation of the mandatory hotel quarantine system is underway.

A motion will come before the Oireachtas shortly on the mandatory hotel quarantine system – whether to extend it and for how long.

The Taoiseach will attend the a Special Meeting of the EU Council next week, and will be in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday. 

Due to the Taoiseach being out of the country, Tuesday’s usual Cabinet meeting will be pushed to Friday, where Cabinet will sign off on a range of reopening plans. 

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will meet on Thursday to put together their advice, before giving it to government.

Speaking to reporters yesterday evening, the Taoiseach said next week’s announcement will be “comprehensive”. 

“Over the next number of days we will be examining all of this. The sequence will be there will will be a NPHET meeting, my understanding is Thursday and the Covid Cabinet Committee after that.

Cabinet the following say will deal with any decisions we have to take in respect a lot of the issues that I have outlined, both from a travel perspective and different sectors of society, in terms of sport and entertainment. We did say we were working on proposals to trial some events. So, we will make a comprehensive announcement in relation to all of that next week. 

Green Cert

The European Parliament reached a deal this week paving the way for a Green Certificate that will help open up travel in Europe for the key summer season. 

The Green Certificate will be proof that a person has received a vaccine, received a negative test result or recovered from Covid-19 and has natural immunity.

The certificate will be valid if a person can show a negative PCR test that was taken less than 72 hours prior; if a person has a negative rapid test that is less than 24 hours old; or if a person tested positive for specific antibodies within the last 6 months.

Each member state has autonomy of deciding which test is required upon entry into their country.

The issue will be discussed at the EU Special Council meeting next week, however some of government circles have highlighted the case of Denmark, which has opted for antigen testing to be allowed prior to entry. 

There is a split in opinion on rapid testing among some public health experts, however,  the chief scientific advisor to the government, Professor Mark Ferguson’s report on rapid testing has been fully accepted by the government.

While those in government note the views of some of the public health professionals as regards PCR testing, the issue of cost of these tests is also understood to being weighed up, particularly in light of the move to jump-start tourism. 

The EU Green Certificate provides a framework to get travel back, said the Taoiseach this week, who added that a plan for travel and the aviation sector to be ready by the end of the month. 

“We are in a different space with vaccination and as a small open economy aviation is really important.

“We must ensure connectivity for tourism, the economy and future growth. The government is committed to regional connectivity and is committed to Shannon airport.

“There will need to be an effective rebooting of aviation and we will engage with the airlines and airports. This is crucial to tourism and economic growth of all regions in the country,” he said. 

Next week, dates at which we can travel abroad should be laid out, with expectations that holidays abroad could be a possibility in July, with travel to the UK perhaps in June.

The announcement comes ahead of hotels and B&Bs reopening their doors on 2 June, with outdoor service for restaurants and pubs to resume on 7 June.

The hospitality sector should also get more details this week about the possibility of indoor dining being permitted in July.

Live events

Tourism Minister Catherine Martin will also detail the progress on reopening the entertainment industry, and detail the plans that are being put in place to trial mass gathering events, with crowds, both indoors and outdoors

Much like what happened in Barcelona, where thousands attended a concert, her department has been putting in place plans for similar events. 

Sports events, as well as music and other performances are in the works, with trial events set for venues all around he country, not just in in Dublin.

The Tourism Minister also confirmed yesterday that grants previously made available for businesses to improve their facilities to cater for outdoor dining are also to be made available for pubs who do not serve food but want to improve drinking spaces outdoors. 

The Taoiseach said that he welcomed this move, adding: 

“On 2nd June hotels and B&Bs and guesthouses will be back up and running, on the 7th June outdoor dining and drinking, these are positive, progressive moves.”

- With reporting by Rónán Duffy

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    Mute Gavin Linden
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    May 22nd 2021, 7:01 AM

    Given the hand grenade launched by nphet yesterday I expect to see a rowing back on previously anticipated opening in certain sectors. I sincerely hope I am wrong but these announcements have always followed a predictable path.
    If fact the government should make some statement in the next day or two in order to clarify nepht comments. Many many businesses holding on for dear life and need firm direction.

    228
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    Mute WJH
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    May 22nd 2021, 7:16 AM

    @Gavin Linden: They flip flop the whole time. I blame the media for highlighting every little negative phrase that may be said, then plastering it as a headline for clickbait. With Trump gone, they have to fill the void with something.

    195
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    Mute Michael Healy
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    May 22nd 2021, 8:26 AM

    @Gavin Linden: Tony knew he wasn’t going to be doing his weekly broadcast after yesterday, so decided to do a drop the mic moment to have us all remember him by, which was completely of no help. The fact is we were told to hold firm and all that till the vulnerable and elderly were vaccinated and that’s nearly done. So now it’s time we let businesses were forced shut for over a year to get back going and NPHET need to go back to the bench and advise in private to the government

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    May 22nd 2021, 10:53 AM

    @WJH: The don’t flip flop, the respond to a change in the path the virus is taking. Thats how pandemics work, you must react to them until you get a vaccine and a lot of other things in place.
    if the virus changes we must change rapidly. You cant have plans made in stone or you lose more people

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    May 22nd 2021, 10:54 AM

    @Gavin Linden: They reported a concern. That what they are supposed to do.

    10
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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    May 22nd 2021, 11:21 AM

    @Gary Kearney: I 100% agree with the reporting of the concern just as they have in the UK and elsewhere. I think the point was “black cloud” on the horizon was click bait and over stating the concern and on the point I agree. When I saw it initially I though “black cloud” is not correct, and, if staying on the weather theme, I think “grey cloud” is more appropriate as the Indian variant is under investigation still both for transmission rate and vaccine effectiveness and symptoms, age group and severity – according to the Times of India that I read yesterday. I think I would have said something more positive like “let’s keep this one under control too with the hand washing, social distancing and facemasks so we can open up more and more safely” – no black cloud – same message.

    21
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    Mute Gavin Linden
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    May 22nd 2021, 11:56 AM

    @Gary Kearney: @Gary Kearney: I have neither the inclination nor the time to engage with you on your views as I have seen your modus operandi many times on this site so this will be a one off reply. You are constantly popping up every where someone comments in a manner you disagree with and attempt to either dismiss or belittle them with supposedly intelligent commentary. You move on to the next target and never reply to direct questions.
    You are the purist example of a twisted troll

    22
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    Mute Michael Healy
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    May 22nd 2021, 8:21 AM

    Well I was feeling upbeat about reopening, till our saviour and the only man who probably now believes he’s bigger than God next to bono, Dr Tony came steam rolling through yesterday and probably scared the living daylights out of so many about the Indian variant, when we had reports stating the vaccines work against it earlier in the week. MM if he had anything about him should be on the phone to NPHET today or hauling them in for a meeting first thing Monday morning to clarify their remarks. Because this little Tony pipe bomb must worry aviation and the rest of hospitality that won’t be open on June 6th and will no doubt give the usual too soon mob more ammunition to say we need to keep indoor dining from happening just a bit longer

    151
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    Mute Sean O'Toole
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    May 22nd 2021, 8:59 AM

    @Michael Healy: Couldn’t agree more. He’s like the top meerkat on the biggest mound looking out for the slightest danger. And, as soon as he smells his own fart shouts “variant”, and we all run for cover. Some stay in their holes until they have to forage ie. go shopping. The young ones will come out quickly and have fun and, the ones like me who have been vaccinated, will do as they please. The flu jab was given in the belief that it would address what was thought to be the prevalent variant of the season, yet people still succumbed to it. MM, continue with the opening up of society and maybe, change the guard.

    79
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    May 22nd 2021, 10:56 AM

    @Sean O’Toole: You complete lack of understanding shows exactly why Nphet have been so careful and conservative in the reactions to covid.
    The young and the selfish are the ones stopping the system from opening up.

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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    May 22nd 2021, 11:33 AM

    @Sean O’Toole: yesterday I decided to educate myself a little on the Indian variant of concern that has a whole Wikipedia page to itself https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lineage_B.1.617 so the thing is that what is being relayed to the people of Ireland by our Health Advisors is a worldwide concern for this variant. Not happy with this alone I went and read the Times of India news reports and a few other sources so I at least try to understand the issues. I respectfully suggest you do likewise and realise this is not an Irish issue but a worldwide one. Also it is better to watch and listen to what is said than depend upon headline and unverified comments in the comments section.

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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    May 22nd 2021, 11:40 AM

    @Michael Healy: steam rolling ??? Did you read the report? Or did you get your information 3rd hand? I am curious as what I read is “NPHET is closely monitoring variants of concern, and are concerned about possible higher transmissibility of the so called Indian variant and its spread in other countries as well as early reports of its impact on vaccine effectiveness” – not exactly a stream roller but what almost every other country and the WHO are doing “monitoring”.

    I think the term “black cloud” and your conclusions are incorrect based on the statement by the government https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/445dc-statement-from-the-national-public-health-emergency-team-friday-21-may/ – sometimes I wonder who is really more scared of the virus. Could it be those that exaggerate?

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    Mute Noel Donohue
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    May 22nd 2021, 7:37 AM

    More fake news from the 3 blind mice that disguise as a government

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    Mute a
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    May 22nd 2021, 9:32 AM

    The Digital Green Certificate needs to be adopted on time in line with our European counterparts. Time for messing is over. 80% of adults will have their first dose of the vaccination by this time next month.

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    Mute Madra
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    May 22nd 2021, 8:02 AM

    I’d be more concerned about this Indian variant coming into the country easier. Everyone should have to stay in a hotel for 10-14 days and must have a negative test before leaving. Anyone who has been here for the last 18 months should be rewarded by being able to move freely around the country and feel safe.
    Not worrying about a new strain coming in from tourism.

    56
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    Mute Paul Keenan
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    May 22nd 2021, 8:36 AM

    @Madra: Pakistan a country will a thousand mile border with India, is more worried about the UK variant than the Indian one, so that tells you all you need to know about it. It’s vastly overstated, plus there are literally hundreds of variants already here and will be thousands more in future, you can’t stop them coming in forever

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    Mute Pupi_51%
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    May 22nd 2021, 9:39 AM

    @Madra: We are in Europe, freedom of movement within European Union is a right. You saying it’s ok to go to Cork and not to Madrid or Paris ? Haven’t seen my folks for 2 years. Been living here for 10 years. What’s your plan ? Kick out anyone that had ties abroad, just because it’s scary out there ? The mandatory hotel quarantine is a nepotist system that goes against European Union. Not everyone is traveling for sunbathing and eating ice-creams by beach.

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    Mute Paul Keenan
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    May 22nd 2021, 10:13 AM

    @Pupi_51%: This is what we are up against going forward, people that have had the life scared out of them by NPHETs constant doomsday rhetoric that they have become so risk averse they are afraid of their shadows, israel vast areas of the US back to complete normality, denmark opening up fully despite daily rates on a par with here but trusting the vaccination programme and what happened in israel and US whereas here we have to go forward with an abundance of caution, we must have a different COVID here than all those places

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    Mute Joey
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    May 22nd 2021, 10:42 AM

    @Pupi_51%: be thankful your folks are still alive and u have the chance to visit them later this year. Unless you would prefer to visit the graveyard?

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    Mute Paul Keenan
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    May 22nd 2021, 10:54 AM

    @Joey: Whilst it’s awful for all the people who have lost loved ones, the fact is that the vaccination programme has completely broken the link between cases and deaths so we cannot continue to look at the mistakes of the past 15 months and make further mistakes going forward, we need to get the country open just like israel and the US,denmark etc

    27
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    May 22nd 2021, 10:58 AM

    @Pupi_51%: We are in a pandemic, their is an emergency situation.
    Its not scary out there it is deadly.
    It does not matter why you travel, the virus does not care.

    5
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    Mute Paul Keenan
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    May 22nd 2021, 11:03 AM

    @Gary Kearney: It was an emergency situation it is no longer due to vaccinations, it doesn’t matter what variant is here, vaccinations work against them and they don’t make people any more sick, CMO himself said 1000 cases now leads to 1 death which at currents levels is 3 deaths a week and this will drop further as vaccination increases, how much longer do people want to hide for 3 deaths a week

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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    May 22nd 2021, 11:52 AM

    @Paul Keenan: interesting comment, I believe the same issue in Thailand where it is the UK strain that is being blamed on increasing cases and deaths. Actually this will be an issue for countries that stopped the initial virus spread as their measures may not be enough to stop the more transmissible variants. Prior to December only a few people heard of the variants but the US was hit with a European variant that spread to the Americas early on and Europe was hit with a Spanish variant long before Boris used the idea of a variant to perform a 180 degree U turn on opening up the UK at Christmas, now variants are all on the tip of everyone’s tongue. The original virus that came from China is long gone and replaced by ones that get in there quicker and spread faster.

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    Mute Mary Oliver
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    May 23rd 2021, 12:18 AM

    @Madra: how did the Indian variant get here?

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    Mute Paul Keenan
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    May 23rd 2021, 9:00 AM

    @Niall Ó Cofaigh: Yes but despite them being more transmissible once populations become vaccinated this is irrelevant as it does not translate into serious illness and death, as per israel, US UK, all viruses mutate but the media attention around COVID is insane, some governments are so risk averse now it beggars belief as there is no reason to believe covid will act any diffently from other viruses which in general become more transmissible over time but less deadly dur to immune responses

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    Mute Paul Keenan
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    May 23rd 2021, 9:01 AM

    @Mary Oliver: Who cares how did the other 1000 variants get here?? The problem is nor variants, the problem is the over reaction to them

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    Mute Damo
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    May 22nd 2021, 9:04 AM

    Tony was right about the dark clouds, giving crappy weather over the next couple of days in my area

    47
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    Mute Barry Lynch
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    May 22nd 2021, 11:00 AM

    It’s time now to plan to live with Covid. No going back and put Dr negativity on the bench.

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    May 22nd 2021, 10:58 AM

    Surely you’d expect next weeks’s summer re-opening decisions next week, no?

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    Mute Eddie Michael
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    May 22nd 2021, 12:20 PM

    What kind of information does the digital certification hold on citizens, how easily can it be hacked and shared ….

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    Mute Ian O Hara
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    May 22nd 2021, 1:39 PM

    Not a mention of what’s happening with PUP, people don’t know if there going to be pushed over the cliff, oh sorry there won’t be a cliff, well I don’t see any leaks on this.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    May 22nd 2021, 11:01 AM

    At this stage you would think that people understood how pandemics work and how opening up should work.
    And you would be wrong.
    We keep to the plan that is working and we wont have too many problems.
    We dont and we get a large rise in cases and go back onto a tighter lockdown.

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    Mute JedBartlett
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    May 22nd 2021, 11:28 AM

    @Gary Kearney: And what exactly would a large rise in case now mean? Not very much considering that 80% of the adult population is due to have at least one vaccination jab in just over a months time.
    Hospital cases and deaths are way down, thanks to the vaccinations that have already taken place in the vulnerable groups.
    The transmissibility of the Indian variant is now not what it was feared it would be, vaccines also work against it.
    Cases numbers are no longer the metric.

    23
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    Mute Michael Healy
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    May 22nd 2021, 1:19 PM

    @Gary Kearney: How do ya think Tony going on about dark clouds and variants being of a concern is gonna help with reopening exactly??….we had reports saying vaccines work against the Indian variant, yet Tony wants to have his say and scare the bejaysus of people. He needs to stand down and let the country start rebuilding financially soon

    23
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    Mute David Smith
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    May 23rd 2021, 9:00 AM

    Let’s get the green cert rolled out.

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