Move to scrap travel limits from June 29 to save the summer
■ Hairdressers, museums and other amenities could reopen three weeks ahead of schedule
THE Government is considering accelerating the reopening of the country, including scrapping limits on how far people can travel from home three weeks early.
Museums, galleries, hairdressers and other amenities could also reopen by the end of June, while hotels could be allowed to operate with limited occupancies subject to the spread of Covid-19 remaining suppressed.
The 5km limit on travel is expected to be replaced by a new 20km limit from tomorrow week, but the Government is now considering if this could be allowed to expire from June 29 — three weeks earlier than envisaged.
As the country basked in glorious sunshine yesterday, there was concern about people failing to adhere to restrictions. Health officials appealed to the public to adopt a cautious approach as the nine new deaths were reported and the number of new cases jumped by almost 50pc yesterday compared to the previous evening with 59 new cases reported, an increase of 20 on the previous day. Any increase in cases will be met with concern among officials as the country edges closer to a further easing of restrictions.
A Department of Health spokesman said: “As we enter the last week of phase one, it is encouraging to see ICU and hospital admissions declining, the number of new cases remaining stable and a 90pc recovery rate. But we cannot afford to stop the hard work involved in suppressing this virus.”
Senior government figures are optimistic the roadmap can be accelerated, but caution that decisions will be guided by the data.
Political and economic pressure to reopen the country is growing. Business lobby group Ibec has called for all businesses to be allowed to reopen from next month and for the two-metre distancing rule to be reduced to one-metre.
Fianna Fail now believes there is no logic or scientific basis for the 5km or 20km limits. In a significant move last week, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, who is hoping to become Taoiseach, said removal of the limits should be expedited.
One of his senior TDs, Jim O’Callaghan, told the Sunday Independent: “I think we need to set the end of June as the goal for our restrictions to be lifted.”
Senior government sources have confirmed that acceleration is being considered. “It is possible if the virus is under control but it’s not guaranteed you could see people getting to take a holiday in Ireland before the end of the summer season,” a senior source said.
Meanwhile, An Garda Siochana is to begin testing a new smartphone app to trace the spread of Covid-19. A voluntary offer will be made to around 2,000 gardai to download and use the app as they interact with other members of the force while on duty.
This test will allow health authorities to validate how the app works in everyday situations. If the trial is successful, it will be launched subject to approval from the Data Protection Commissioner, the HSE and the Government.