Holohan won’t play ball on hopes of pubs opening early
:: Bar environment means it must stay at the end of the roadmap
EFFORTS to fast-track the opening of pubs, ahead of the timeline in the Government’s roadmap to ease coronavirus restrictions, have been dealt a blow by chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan.
Although vintners want to reopen pubs next month, he said this should not happen until the latter part of the roadmap in August.
“The nature of engagement that takes place in a pub environment is more towards the latter end of restrictions. June is in the early stage,” he said.
“I don’t want to encourage sectors to hurry to recategorise themselves from a phase five to phase one. Opening pubs in June would not be part of our risk-based assessment.”
He said all sectors should have a preparedness plan they are working on at this point.
He also said the National Public Health Emergency Team did not call for the cancellation of the Leaving Certificate exams.
He said public health advice had been given to the Department of Education early on and the decision was taken by its officials.
Data presented yesterday shows the dramatic slowing down of the country in key aspects of daily life from cars on the road to shopping to even taking money out of ATMs.
“Analysis of multiple data sources shows a continuing high level of compliance with public health measures. As we prepare for the next stages of living with this virus, we are learning new norms and behaviours, particularly how we interact in public spaces.
“Physical distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, safe interactions apply to all if we are to keep Covid-19 suppressed in Ireland,” he said.
He added there continues to be a high level of compliance with restrictive measures and the signs for an easing of lockdown look encouraging with an assessment to be made late next week.
He was speaking as another 27 people died of the coronavirus. The death toll is now 1,429 and more than half were residents of nursing homes.
A further 156 newly confirmed cases of the virus were reported yesterday bringing the total to 22,541.
Figures show that among age groups the death toll has been highest among the over85s, claiming 652 lives.
The next highest was seen among people in their early 80s, some 304 of whom have passed away from the virus.
The deaths show a significant rise from the age of 70 onwards – the age at which people are asked to cocoon.
Decisions will be made next week on whether to extend mass testing to settings such as direct provision centres.
There have been 149 clusters in these centres and 12 of the residents have been hospitalised.
Anyone in a direct provision centre who tests positive for the virus and wants to self- isolate can be accommodated at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, said Dr Holohan.
There will also be new advice on safeguards around people travelling to Ireland.
But he said he was discouraging people here from planning holidays for now.
Meanwhile, the Mater Hospital yesterday launched a Covid Community Assessment Hub which will specifically care for vulnerable groups in the inner city. It will include an assessment unit at the hospital and a mobile assessment unit working across the inner city to serve the needs of people living in poverty as well as those living in congregated settings.
Doctors said that marginalised groups often live in overcrowded settings which means physical distancing and self-isolation or cocooning is difficult or impossible. This increases the risk of spread of the virus.
These communities are also less likely to try to access healthcare for diagnosis in the first place or when they do seek medical attention, they often do not have the supports needed to recover.
The briefing was also told that 566 staff in meat plants have tested positive and outbreak control teams have been sent in.