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LAST UPDATE | 18 Oct 2021
THE NATIONAL PUBLIC Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will meet this afternoon before giving its advice to Government ahead of the planned easing of restrictions on Friday.
Almost all remaining Covid-19 restrictions are due to be lifted on 22 October but a recent rise in cases numbers and hospitalisations has thrown the plan into doubt.
HSE CEO Paul Reid warned this morning that with 482 people currently in hospital with Covid-19, 74 of whom are in ICU, it is “time for us all to hit the reset button”.
“If unvaccinated you’re at higher risk, resulting in disproportionate impact. Do the right thing,” Reid said on Twitter.
“For the rest of us, time to do the basics well again. Both of the above work.”
NPHET is due to meet at 2pm before delivering its advice to the Cabinet Covid-19 sub-committee. A final decision will be taken by Cabinet tomorrow.
Government has already indicated that the requirement to show a Digital Covid-19 Certificate in hospitality settings to prove you’ve been vaccinated is likely to be extended beyond Friday.
Government will also consider increasing attendance at indoor and outdoor events, as well as the reopening of nightclubs, which have been defined by NPHET throughout the pandemic as a high-risk setting.
Those in Government circles remain confident that numbers at indoor and outdoor events could increase and that longer opening hours for bars and restaurants could also be given the green light.
Sources indicate that at the highest levels “an abundance of caution” appears to be the theme of the week, however, it has been noted that over the weekend many scientists and experts still seem to favour a “proceed but with passes and other controls” strategy.
“If not now, when?” appears to be the question from many within government this week.
It comes after a further 2,180 cases were reported on Saturday – the highest number since January – and 1,380 cases yesterday.
Now 482 #covid19 patients in hospital, 74 in ICU. Time for us all to hit the reset button. 1.If unvaccinated, you're at higher risk, resulting in a disproportionate impact. Do the right thing. 2.For the rest of us,time to do the basics well again. Both of the above work.@HSELive
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) October 18, 2021
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Government is not contemplating the re-imposition of Covid-19 restrictions in Ireland.
Martin insisted the vaccine rollout had put Ireland in a different situation from earlier in the pandemic, despite rising infection rates.
In an interview with the Sunday Independent, Mr Martin said introducing further restrictions was not being considered.
“We do not want to go back, and we are not contemplating going backwards,” he said.
“The only issue facing us now is going forward and that is a decision we will make on the advice we receive from NPHET.”
He said the country was in a “completely different situation” than it was earlier in the pandemic because over 90% of the population was vaccinated.
Martin said while it was not the Government intention to go backwards in terms of restrictions, the “only caveat” he would attach to that was the “twists and turns” of the vaccine.
Government is understood to be looking to Britain, which has had no restrictions for months.
It is being noted that while the numbers are bad there, it is not overwhelming their system.
There are concerns that Ireland’s trajectory could mean that within a few weeks Ireland could be on the same level as Britain, yet still have the restrictions in place.
There is also a feeling of frustration at government level today following comments made by the deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn in relation to urging people to work from home this winter if they can.
Government sources feel it created mixed messaging, as government policy has not changed in relation to the staggered return to work.
Meanwhile, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) is also set to meet today to consider whether the vaccine booster programme should be expanded beyond the over-80 age cohort and those with suppressed immunity.
Martin said he would favour an expansion.
“Right now we are only administering the booster to over-80s and those who are auto-immune-suppressed,” he told the Sunday Independent.
“But I would like to see that expanded. And to healthcare workers too.”
The Taoiseach indicated he would not favour any move to make vaccination mandatory for healthcare workers.
“The voluntary nature of our vaccination programme has been an outstanding success,” he said.
On Sunday, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said there is concern in Government about increasing transmission rates.
She said Cabinet deliberations on Tuesday following the NPHET meeting will focus on the remaining restrictions, with the ongoing use of Covid certification set to be one issue under consideration.
“We are concerned about the rising numbers, and we will be making a decision on Tuesday, and we will be looking at the remaining restrictions,” she told RTE One’s The Week in Politics.
“We’re not going back, that’s important to say, but we’re looking at what we’re going to do regarding the remaining restrictions, we’re going to look at Covid certs and we’re going to look at booster vaccinations, and those are all of the issues that we take into consideration in terms of a Government policy.”
Humphrey was also asked whether a call by Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn for people to work from home where possible over the autumn and winter is at odds with the Government’s phased return to the workplace plan.
The minister insisted Government policy is clear.
“We want a phased return to work,” she said.
“And we will continue to work with employers, who I know have been facilitating this.”
She said it is important that employers also facilitate some staff to continue to work from home.
With reporting from Press Association
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The normal Joe and Bridget is constantly told that they can’t have house parties, they can’t congregate in groups, they must keep social distance, they are a threat to others by not following guidelines and are open to fines if they don’t follow NPHET advice. Then we have this, some country alright.
@Jack Cass: The normal Joe and Bridget are breaking those rules as well.
Just focus on doing the right thing yourself and less worrying about others.
@Fozz: I thought we are all in this together?
@Brian Madden: Yes but being ‘all in this together’ and not curtain twitching are not mutually exclusive.
@Fozz: in fairness the normal Joe and Bridget breaking rules aren’t on a major platform preaching to everyone, day in and day out, about breaking the social distancing and mask guidelines. It’s not about ‘worry less about others and focus on yourself’ that’s the issue. It’s the frustration of one rule for us and seems to be another for a certain cohort of people. Is OK for people to be frustrated. We don’t need to be told every time we see an enraging story like this to `worry about yourself’. The journal never fails to bring out the condescending folk.
Great reason to avoid paying tv license. I’m not funding those pompous overpaid presenters, if we are lucky this will be Tubridy’s final toy show!
Needs to resign, position untenable after that.
And not one of them mean it.
Sorry! Such a meaningless word when it rolls off the tongue.
@Dave Barrett: Sorry they were so stúpid as to be caught out, thats only how sorry they are.
What is it about people like this in the upper echelons of Irish society. how are they this brazen? They are the ones who covered GolfGate. . . . And they do this. How thick and arrogant do the people at that party have to be to accept an invitation to this. Good lord. There’s not a HOPE we’re getting this under control before a vaccine. Arrogant tools.
@JedBartlett: If you get on the Late Late Show or Dancing With The Stars you fall into this category.
It will interesting when they come before the Dail committee to see what questions they will be asked.
Rory Coveney and Miriam O’Callaghan’s positions in RTE are untenable thanks to their links with government.
They are no better than Brian Hayes.
The damage is done
@Ewan O’Doherty: So all should be forgotten after their faux apologies? Remember how outraged everyone was with the pub, Berlin D2. That bar apologised, they should be grand now and the Garda not apposing their licence renewal?
Apologise because they got caught.
They don’t give a toss.
aw give it a rest. they behaved no different than any other workplace. The staff in the school i work in behave in the same manner once the kids are off site
@Bala mc blaha: If other people did it an were caught a simple “Sorry” would not carry any weight with RTE if they were investigating it. RTE have been lecturing the nation on obeying the rules, running condescending adverts on covid since March. They should now pay a heavy price for their rule breaking.
@Bala mc blaha: they are not any other work place. Even consider the high profile people there who had had the virus, they should be more careful than anyone.
@Bala mc blaha: They are not in the public eye big difference when you work in RTÉ
@Bala mc blaha: Thanks for you honesty and letting us all know some of the reasons why schools are not safe.
. In our offices, 2 meters distancing at all times, one way system in and out of building and stairs, only 1 allowed in showers or toilets at a time, segregated desks and no one seated inside 2 meters, staggered canteen times and no one seated inside 2 meters, all stop points have 2 meters signage on floors and all in place and in effect since March. No meetings unless can be held in rooms where 2 meters distancing can be maintained.
@Bala mc blaha: Not in my workplace. Whilst self employed I rent a studio in the local arts center. No outside visitors, one way system, distsncing and entry/exit times strictly enforced. Monthly coffee mornings with other tenants & staff happen over Zoom when they could easily be distanced in the large theatre space.
Not in my wife’s workplace either (a major hospital). Mask on before you walk in and don’t take it off until you’re in your car 13/14 hours later (it’s obviously changed in between multiple times). Distancing strictly enforced outside of patient care settings incl canteen where what can only be described as exam invigilators make sure your mask is not off longer than it should be.
Several teachers have retired from my daughter’s school and it’s very clear from photos/video they adhered to all guidelines.
From my anecdotal experiences it’s not “all workplaces” and RTE are just taking the proverbial.
Why the extra ramifications for the pub, Berlin D2 with their licence being blocked, if a simple, sorry will do. Berlin D2 also apologised, so they should be brand now?
@Alan Wright: *grand
I don’t think anyone really wants an apology from RTE, politicians, the judiciary or anyone else.
All people really want is for the same rules that apply to RTE celebrities for gatherings apply to everyone else.
For the rules that apply to the Gardai and the IRA for funerals, apply across the board.
For the travelling restrictions that apply to migrant workers apply to everyone.
For the rules that allow multi-nationals carry on in business, be also applied to individual Irish entrepreneurs, be they barbers, boutiques, hairdressers, restaurateurs or publicans.
For the rules that allow BLM and Polish abortion protests be permitted without hindrance, apply to all Irish citizens.
You know, the stuff that used to be in the Constitution.
Ah sure it’s grand then, same as Mr. Wolfe.. Be grand sure
How many times have things like this happened in this country, even before March? Same story, high profile wrongdoing happens, scandal errupts, forgotten in 2-3 weeks…
Remember when it was bankers that thought they could just do as they please…
Of course you would not know about the real world in the private sector. In our offices, 2 meters distancing at all times, one way system in and out of building and stairs, only 1 allowed in showers or toilets at a time, segregated desks and no one seated inside 2 meters, staggered canteen times and no one seated inside 2 meters, all stop points have 2 meters signage on floors and all in place and in effect since March. No meetings unless can be held in rooms where 2 meters distancing can be maintained.
We’ve all had losses and needed to restrict ourselves from loved ones. This event had to be planned, someone dosent just up and retire but a copy and paste “im sorry ” makes everything ok. ?? I don’t think so…just screams of being a hypocrite.
Run this by me again, someone or persons unknown in RTE news dept organized a retirement party in the midst of strict contact restrictions , which was attended by household names who have spent months reporting on a pandemic including the daily naming & shaming of members of the public for minor infringements of the regulations, then they all stood around afterwards & posed for group pictures sometimes with arms around one another with masks in their hands?
That’s great but when are they all getting sacked
A lot of pent up hatred and seething dislike for RTE being displayed in the comments above.
RTE wouldn’t be my No 1 institution either but methinks a lot of the above is just using the recent incidents as a cover to vent.
Please stop apologising!
It was an error of judgement…
Yes we would all love an event night out but so be it….
Everyone wants to take the head off people as soon as a mistake is made!. We are getting closer to a vaccine and soon we can all go back to living.
I don’t like to c people being humiliated. If there is any person out there who has never made a mistake in life.. feel free to keep throwing them stones …
Life is not perfect nor should it be!
Despite being the Covid propaganda arm of the State their behaviour demonstrates how much they belive in the hogwash they broadcast every evening to the great unwashed.
Public Service Broadcaster.. Any resignations?… Any questions even?
That took a while
The same RTÉ news anchors went through for a short cut anyone in government who was on when topic of golfgate dinner was on the agenda calling for dismissals and now are very quiet when the proverbial chicken comes home to roost. Glasshouses and people throwing stone And all that
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