Cabinet set to give go-ahead to first stage of easing lockdown
THE Cabinet is set to approve the first phase of lifting the lockdown measures when it meets today.
Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar indicated he was ‘increasingly confident’ the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) would make the recommendation to relax restrictions in advice to be considered today.
Health Minister Simon Harris also provided an encouraging update to the Dáil, saying that the R0-rate – which refers to the number of people that one infected person will pass the virus on to – has fallen to between 0.4 and 0.6.
The roadmap out of lockdown was published two weeks ago. Under phase one of the plan, due on Monday, a gradual reopening of society starts.
During this phase up to four people, who do not live together, can meet outdoors while maintaining social distancing. Garden centres and hardware stores will also reopen, with IKEA confirming that it is planning to reopen its Ballymun store on Monday.
Golf courses and tennis courts will also reopen but will have to adhere to social distancing measures. Attendance at funerals is being kept to a maximum of ten people.
The Government has published guidelines on standards businesses are required to meet in order to reopen.
The first phase will also see a return to work for outdoor and construction workers. Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, Solidarity People Before Profit TD Mick Barry called on construction workers to elect a ‘Covid compliance officer’ to ensure sites are adhering to required safety standards.
His party colleague Paul Murphy told the Dáil during Leader’s Questions that 200 workers have already complained to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) about unsafe work environments. However, despite their complaints, no inspections have been undertaken by the HSA.
Mr Varadkar said that he would make enquiries with the HSE and said employers who breach the Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005 should be ‘prosecuted and fined’.
Mr Varadkar said that it was the Government’s ‘mission’ to reboot the economy as stark unemployment figures show that the jobless rate is at an alltime high of 28%. Meanwhile, a decision will also be made today on guidance relating to face coverings. On Wednesday, Transport Minister Shane Ross indicated that it could soon be mandatory to wear a face covering on public transport.
The Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, Dr Tony Holohan, yesterday provided the recommendations to Cabinet.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Dr Holohan was tight-lipped on what he had recommended. However, he did caution that it was possible his recommendations could need to be revised between now and the easing of restrictions if there is a spike in cases.
Phase one starts as scheduled on Monday. Phase two is due to come into effect on June 8. This would see people being able to travel up to 20km from their homes.
Phase five – which will see bars and shopping centres reopen – is not scheduled until August 10.
‘Employers flouting rules should be fined’