Tag Archives: Restrictions

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer

Um.

Last night.

Anyone?

Meanwhile…

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) called on Dr Tony Holohan to reintroduce certain public health measures, such as the wearing of masks and working from home, until the current wave of COVID-19 subsides.

In a letter, the CMO was told that the circumstances facing frontline workers are ‘incredibly dangerous and inhumane for many’.

Both organisations called on the CMO to issue ‘clear advice’ to the Government. The letter said: ‘Wearing masks and working from home will assist. We accept that, of themselves, these measures will not end the spread, but they will lessen the burden of infection, reduce cross-infection and may help ameliorate the intolerable pressure on our hospitals. Mandating these measures is now, in our shared view, a matter of urgency.’

Health staff’s ‘urgent’ appeal to Holohan for COVID restrictions (Extra.ie)

RollingNews

This morning.

Hic.

Meanwhile…

This morning.

We’re back, baby.

RollingNews

This morning.

Mr Martin, tear down this wall.

Fight!

Earlier: “There Could Be Another Chapter

Yesterday Covexit

Meanwhile…

This morning.

Was it all just a bad dream?

Via RTÉ News:

Early indications suggest that a new closing time for bars, restaurants and cultural venues could be set at midnight from the end of this month or in early February.

A further easing of restrictions would then take place at a later date when the requirement on premises would possibly be scaled back to just checking Covid passes.

More people could also be allowed to attend weddings soon, while a gradual return to the workplace might get under way at some point next month.

There are also suggestions that outdoor sports venues could return to full capacity.

While no decision has been made yet about when Government might sign-off on any planned changes, many within its ranks believe it could happen as early as Friday.

NPHET expected to recommend easing of Covid restrictions (RTÉ)

Rollingnews

Meanwhile…

Last night.

Dr. Mary Favier, President of the Irish College of General Practitioners

This morning.

Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio One.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Dr Mary Favier [Covid-19 advisor to the Irish College of GPs] said that despite soaring infection rates the health service is “holding steady, just”, but everything in the health system is under strain and said “we really do need to look at how we want to achieve things in the next number of weeks and into Christmas”.

She called for a return to social solidarity in the coming weeks, saying a peak in the current wave of infection might not happen before December.

Dr Favier said people need to look at how to manage social interactions and gatherings “and just try and do less in the next week or two”.

Anyone?

Meanwhile…

The Government is not actively considering a return to working from home full-time, the Minister for Health has said, adding that he has not received any advice from public health officials on this.

Govt not considering return to full-time remote working – Donnelly (RTÉ)

RollingNews

Meanwhile…

Blimey.

This afternoon.

Earlier…

Meanwhile…

Meanwhile…

Eau.

Oh.

Last night.

Meanwhile…

Via RTE News:

The Government is aiming to pass a single piece of legislation before Christmas that would combine the public health measures scheduled to expire on 9 February.

The measures include the requirement to wear masks in certain places and the rules around Covid passes for hospitality and international travel.

A Government spokesperson said the legislation is to ensure the State can react to the pandemic and Government would not look to have these additional powers for longer than necessary.

However, it does raise the possibility that the measures could be extended at some point beyond 9 February.

Govt legislation to combine emergency Covid powers (RTÉ)

RollingNews

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly

Sure why not?

This afternoon.

Dail Eireann.

Via RTE News:

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has told the Dáil that “we have to be concerned that things will deteriorate further” as he proposed extending emergency legislation providing for face masks, Covid passes, enforcement powers and fixed penalty notices.

The laws were due to expire on 9 November.

Mr Donnelly proposed extending them for another three months until 9 February
.

He said he could not commit with certainty what the trajectory of the disease would be.

Minister proposes extending Covid emergency legislation until 9 February (RTÉ)

RollingNews

Last night.

Good times.

Meanwhile…

…via RTÉ News:

The President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland said it is “the eleventh hour” and there are no full guidelines yet.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mark McGowan – who owns Scholars Townhouse Hotel and Peggy Moores pub in Drogheda – said this is a “critical time of year” as they head into the Christmas period.

He said they are still unsure about things like multiple table numbers, and are hoping guidelines will be given out sooner rather than later.

“There’s a lot of decisions that have to be made,” he said. “We have to plan rosters, we have to plan the logistics of our table plans in the restaurant, and we may have to hire more staff as well.

Discussions on reopening guidelines ahead of Friday (RTÉ)

This morning.

Via RTÉ News:

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Minister Harris it is not a binary choice whether to continue to reopen or not, but to “ask the question is there a way to proceed with openings [while] retaining vaccine certs or face masks for a bit longer.”

The former minister for health said that a level of scrutiny of the options is required and the Government will consult with public health authorities ahead of any decision.

He also urged the 70,000 people who have had a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine to come forward for a second dose.

Mr Harris said that a more widespread booster [or third] vaccine programme could be beneficial…

‘Pause or proceed’, Harris says Govt must decide how best to ease restrictions (RTÉ)

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