LIVEGovernment to defy Nphet and implement 8pm closing time
The Government is set to defy the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) recommendations and implement an 8pm closing time for the hospitality sector.
Medics had suggested pubs and restaurants close at 5pm to curb the spread of the Omicron variant, but the Cabinet has this evening discussed a proposal that would see a later 8pm closing time.
Cabinet has also agreed to cap the numbers at wedding receptions at 100. These events will have a midnight curfew.
Hotel bars will be exempt from the 8pm closing time, but only for overnight guests.
Cabinet has also agreed that close contacts of confirmed cases who do not have their third dose must restrict their movements for 10 days. Those who have received theirs must restrict for five days and take three antigen tests.
The measures will be reviewed on January 11.
Government ministers met today with top health officials to discuss the proposals for 5pm closing times for pubs and restaurants and reduced capacities for indoor and outdoor events.
Nphet is recommending a clampdown on the pubs and restaurants sector from Monday, with early closing times, amid “exceptional concern” about the impact of the Omicron variant.
The early closure times would last to January 30, under the Nphet proposals.
The variant now accounts for 27% of all new Covid-19 infections here, up from just 1% of new cases last week. It is likely to become the dominant variant within a matter of days.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid has warned that Ireland could see around 2,000 people in hospital in the coming weeks, similar to what was seen last January.
However, Mr Reid also said 1.35m booster jabs had been administered to date, and the revised booster plan should mitigate “to the greatest extent” the projected effect of the virus.
- A 5pm closing time for pubs and restaurants, The Government is expected to introduce an 8pm closing time
- Theatres, cinemas and other cultural entertainment gatherings should also close at 5pm
- Outdoor sporting events should be restricted to 50% capacity or 5,000 attendees. They too should not take place after 5pm
- Schools will remain open for the final week of term next week
- Though specific guidelines around for weddings has not been issued, it is understood that Nphet believes any large-scale gathering could become a 'super-spreader event', and will advise against the holding of late-night events.
The hospitality industry has warned the move would lead to the laying off of around 60,000 staff.
Adrian Cummins of the Restaurants Association of Ireland said the proposed measures would be an effective closure of the sector.
"It's effectively a hospitality lockdown if the recommendations from Nphet are taken on board by the government.
"It's a shock to our industry, devastating news to our sector at a critical time, a number of days ahead of Christmas, not just the business owners but to the staff as well. We have to start to live with Covid."
Indoor music events and outdoor sporting events are also set to have their capacities “severely reduced".
Nphet is advocating that sporting, theatre and cultural gatherings should not take place after 5pm and that capacity should be cut to 50%, or 5,000 people, for outdoor events.
It means outdoor events — such as the Munster v Leinster rugby match in Thomond Park on St Stephen's Day, and the post-Christmas races at Limerick and Leopardstown — should be limited to 50% or 5,000 attendees.
Michael O’Donovan of the Vintners Federation of Ireland called on the Government to adjust the advice and warned that large numbers of staff will be out of work if the measures are adopted.
"This would be a real hammer blow. It will be closure for many because a lot of pubs wouldn't do food, wouldn't really be open at lunchtime," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme.
It has been suggested that Nphet has stopped short of recommending a reduction in the number of households who can gather.
At present, a total of four households can gather in a house.
Nphet has not been specific about the numbers that will be allowed to attend weddings, but did say larger events are seen as “super spreader events”.
Schools are still on course to remain open until the end of term and are to reopen in January as planned.
Senior government sources have suggested that what is being proposed is being done to prioritise schools staying open in January.