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Cabinet Subcommittee and NPHET say no significant relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions is required; decision will be made today

DUBLIN: The cabinet meeting today will take a decisive decision on granting exemptions on COVID restrictions from April 5. The Cabinet sub-committee on COVID-19 recommendations met yesterday evening.

The meeting discussed the possibility of easing the COVID-19 restrictions. The recommendations were made to the sub-committee at the NPHET meeting this morning. In addition, the Cabinet sub-committee considered the possibility after hearing comments from the HSE and the high-level Vaccine Task Force.

It has been pointed out that the possibility of easing restrictions is very rare as large exemptions can lead to major disasters. NPHET reminds us that the only way forward is to be highly cautious. Otherwise it would pave the way for a fourth wave, NPHET warned. Therefore, it is expected that only minor exemptions will be made at today’s Cabinet meeting.

However, government sources have indicated that the 5 km travel limit will be eased. The subcommittee decided to review the number of COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks after granting small exemptions and move on to further easing. Significant changes will take effect in the coming months, depending on how the changes announced in April affect the COVID-19 figures for the following weeks.

The government recognizes the problems people face in the fight against the spread of the virus. The pressure on the government is to give them some exemptions. However, the virus spread and the fourth wave are restricting the government from making such decisions.

Speaking after the meeting, Green Party leader and Minister Eamon Ryan said the subcommittee had received detailed presentations today.  “If we look at what’s going on in Europe, we have to be careful.” The decisions “will be part of a step-by-step approach – so April, May, June, take it one step at a time; it won’t be the full detail or anything, it’s crucial we get the next few weeks right and be on the path towards bringing back normality, and that’s in prospect now,” he said.

It is learned that the sub-committee has recommended the easing of the 5 km limit, permission for outdoor sports and the possibility of larger groups meeting outdoors.

The Cabinet subcommittee meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Minister Ryan, and elected ministers and top level senior officials.

It is hoped that outdoor sports, such as golf, tennis and fishing, will also be allowed. Some ministers are also calling for the possibility of a resumption of Click and Collect. It is hoped that the reopening of the construction sector will also be considered. All these matters will be clarified in today’s cabinet meeting.

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