Hospitality restrictions to go from 6am tomorrow as Taoiseach’s addresses nation

4 mins ago

Taoiseach now confirming restrictions to go, all requirements for entry into hospitality including Covid passes will go

“Today is a good day,” Martin said – noting that he had had to address the nation from the steps of Government Buildings during much darker periods during the pandemic.

Earlier, my government colleagues and I met to consider the latest report from the National Public Health Emergency Team.

That report confirmed that we have weathered the Omicron storm. It confirmed that the rate of infection is reducing and then all of the key indicators on which we base our decisions have stabilised and are going in the right direction. It confirmed that Ireland’s world class vaccination program and the rollout of boosters has utterly transformed our situation.

Based on this evidence, we’ve concluded that the rationale and justification for continuing most of our public health restrictions are no longer in place. Therefore, from 6am Tomorrow morning, the majority of public health measures that we’ve had to live with will be removed.

23 mins ago

Ten minutes before An Taoiseach speaks, Twitter’s made up its mind anyway

42 mins ago

Rónán Duffy back here again. 

Helen McEntee may have deleted her Instagram post in which she scooped the Taoiseach’s announcement, but we were listening….

Source: Instagram

The Justice Minister appears to have recorded her video just after the Cabinet meeting:

We’ve just finished there. And I am so pleased to be able to say that, as of 6am tomorrow, the vast majority of restrictions that have been in place for almost two years now on and off, will be lifted. 

I don’t think any of us thought we’d actually be getting to this point as quickly as we are now. So many people have lost loved ones, this has had a detrimental impact on people’s livelihoods, their businesses, but als just personal freedoms, all of our personal freedoms. 

But it’s because of the hard work. It’s because of the dedication, it’s because of what each and everyone of us has done over the past two years that we are where we are now. 

So it will be a few restrictions remaining in particular around mask-wearing. And really this is about necessity, or where someone makes a decision themselves. 

So you won’t have to wear a mask going into a bar or a nightclub. This is I suppose, because you choose to go into those places knowing that it’s going to be busy and crowded. However, someone who might still be nervous might still be somewhat vulnerable, may have to get the bus to work might have no other option or they have to go into their shop to get their food or groceries. 

So until the end of February where it will be reviewed, you’ll still have to wear a mask if you’re in a retail setting or on public transport and those who are working in those as well.

In relation to schools because our children and younger children in particular are not fully vaccinated or don’t have their boosters to the extent that the adult population does. Some of the restrictions will remain. It had always been said to be reviewed in February. So that will happen. But overall look, I think this is such a good day. It’s been a long time coming and again I just want to thank everyone for their work. This has been a huge, huge effort together. And I think we’re finally seeing an end in sight.

58 mins ago

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has gotten the jump on Taoiseach Micheál Martin with the announcement of restrictions being loosened.

In a since-deleted video on Instagram, McEntee says a significant amount of Covid-19 restrictions are set to be removed.

“I am so pleased to be able to say that as of 6am tomorrow, the vast majority of restrictions that have been in place for almost two years now, on and off, will be lifted,” said McEntee.

In the post, McEntee says that it is due to people’s perseverance in the last two years that has allowed us to reach this point.

4:54PM

Northern Ireland’s Health Minister, Robin Swann

Source: PA

Just over the border, Northern Ireland’s Health Minister Robin Swann has said that he is cautiously optimistic about Covid-19 at present.

A large swathe of restrictions in Northern Ireland are set to be dropped in the coming days, including the reopening of nightclubs and removal of Covid-19 passes to enter pubs, restaurants and cinemas.

Speaking to reporters earlier today, Swann says that they will examine the remaining restrictions from 10 February.

“There are three weeks to go and I want to keep the trajectory of this virus going in the same direction as it has been, and that’s downwards,” said Swann.

Press Association is also reporting that Swann says that there are still some pressures on hospitals due to absences and that the situation is challenging.

He has sought military assistance to ease pressure on the healthcare system, saying that they will help make a difference.

4:32PM

The Licenced Vintners Association has said tomorrow will be a “monumental day for all of hospitality”, as all restrictions are set to be removed for pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Chief Executive, Donall O’Keefe says that joy is permeating throughout the entire sector.

He praised frontline healthcare workers, saying that the reopening would not have been possible without them.

“For now we are just excited to see hospitality return and start getting back to normality,” says O’Keefe

“We can’t wait to see towns and cities around Ireland thriving again well into the night and the full return of Ireland’s world famous hospitality.

“We have no doubt that many glasses will be raised throughout the country in celebration this weekend.”

4:14PM

Hi, Tadgh McNally here, taking over the liveblog for the next hour or so while Rónán grabs a break.

Definitely a lot of positive reaction to the news that hospitality venues, particularly pubs, will be able to return to their usual opening hours.

🚨🚨 #BREAKING

Cabinet plans to scrap most restrictions from tomorrow.

👩‍🎨 Towns and urban areas to be painted red

👩‍🦰 Hair to be let down

🌱 Mandatory sowing of wild oats to take place across the weekend

🛢 Barrels of laughs to be distributed

🐳 Whale of a time to be had

— Michael Fry (@BigDirtyFry) January 21, 2022

4:02PM

Cabinet is still discussing other items on the agenda but Taoiseach Micheál Martin is scheduled to make his speech at 6pm, confirming the removal of almost all Covid-19 restrictions. 

Martin’s entire time as Taoiseach (about 19 months and counting) has been during the pandemic and some of his earliest major speeches were the reimposition of measures in later summer 2020. 

Martin also had to announced the strictest lockdowns of the pandemic, with Ireland being at ‘Level 5′ for almost 6 months throughout late 2020 and into 2021. 

Tonight’s announcement is therefore a significant moment politically for the Taoiseach.  

3:31PM

Christina Finn reports that a phased return to offices from Monday is set to be recommended. 

Phased back to the office plan to begin on Monday.

Physical distancing advice comes to an end tomorrow.

— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) January 21, 2022

3:29PM

Absolutely huge news for the hospitality sector to get the green light for a full reopening.

The government were essentially given carte blanche by NPHET last night and Cabinet has decided that, in the absence of any public health advice to keep any restrictions on hospitality, they must all go. 

3:18PM

BREAKING

Cabinet meeting has just begun and and it’s understood what’s on the table is the removal of restrictions from TOMORROW. 

That means capacity limits on indoor and outdoor events including  bars, restaurants and sporting fixtures. Nightclubs are also set to return from tomorrow. 

2:57PM

The WHO’s Special Envoy on Covid-19 Dr. David Nabarro also told RTÉ earlier that a phased approach to lifting all restrictions is preferable, and that mask-wearing in shops might remain “for the time being”, 

This virus is still moving around in societies, actually it’s moving around faster than ever and it’s still causing quite a lot of illness. So I would prefer to see a phased approach, if that’s possible. I’m not in a political position, so I don’t know what the limitations are, but it makes sense to me that we continue to treat this virus with respect.

2:41PM

Here’s some more of what Varadkar said earlier from our Political Correspondent Christina Finn.

Will the pubs open after 8pm tonight?

Varadkar wasn’t giving anything away but says there are legal issues regarding the rescinding of some restrictions pic.twitter.com/QrO0uDW9au

— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) January 21, 2022

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