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03 Dec
The Taoiseach could be making an address to the nation as early as tonight as Cabinet have called a meeting on NPHET recommendations. The subcommittee will meet this morning before the full team will come together later after the public health emergency team forwarded some outlines of what they think should happen to quell numbers. The last weeks saw a number of travel rules brought in while masks were also made compulsory for those in 3rd class and up in schools. But ahead of Christmas officials are nervous about people socialising with regards the Delta variant which continues to spread at a high rate. A source told CorkBeo NPHET will recommend some "circuit breaker" measures to try and slow it down. Dr Tony Holohan will be writing a letter to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and the contents of it will the have to be discussed in Cabinet. From there they will decide what measures will be adopted and how. We'll bring you live updates throughout the day, and all the details of a potential announcement time once it's known. You can follow the blog below. For the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter 20:37Shane DonovanTanaiste speaks directly to businesses and workers on new restricitionsTánaiste @LeoVaradkar outlines the supports for businesses and workers affected by the latest #Covid19 restrictions. pic.twitter.com/QfFBz5EHQP— Fine Gael (@FineGael) December 3, 2021 19:07Shane DonovanPademic Unemployment Payment returnsThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be reinstated to help anyone who loses their jobs as a result of the additional restrictions announced tonight.Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys tweeted: "I know many workers will be worried tonight. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment will reopen for applications for workers impacted by latest restrictions."The full details will be released in the coming days.18:20Shane DonovanTaoiseach announces new restrictionsTaoiseach Micheal Martin has announced a number of new Covid measures, the most significant of which are adjustments to hospitality and household visiting restrictions.The Fianna Fail leader confirmed it was a "disappointing" announcement but one that was necessary after a "stark warning" from the CMO Dr Tony Holohan.Mr Martin said the risk was "too high" to proceed without more restrictions amid the Omicron threat and the following new rules will be brought back in from December 7.Table service only is back for pubs, bars, restaurants and only six people should be allowed per table.Multiple bookings will also not be permitted while there needs to be a one metre gap between tables.Nightclubs will have to shut again just three weeks after they opened.A maximum of 50% of capacity at indoor events - these events should be fully seated and masks should be worn except when eating and drinking.The Covid pass will now be required for gyms and leisure centres.Another new rule is that only three other households are allowed visit your home at any one time.18:07Shane DonovanToday's numbers: Confirmd cases of Covid-19The Department of Health confirm 5,419* cases of COVID-19.As of 8am today, 528 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of whom 110 are in ICU.Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has said Ireland could record up to 15,000 Covid-19 cases every day if social contact increases to levels witnessed in December 2020.This is a combination of the dangers associated with socialisation, influenza and the Omicron variant.Cabinet Ministers are currently deciding whether to implement fresh measures recommended by NPHET.17:35Joe O'SheaCabinet is still meetingWe are now expecting an announcement around 7.30 - but it's reported that the cabinet is debating the final restrictions - as recommended by NPHET. 16:58Joe O'SheaBreaking News - arrest made in connection with brutal murder in Cork We are breaking away from the live coverage of the cabinet meeting - a man has been arrested at Dublin airport in connection with the shocking murder of a homeless man in Cork city in December 2019. The mutilated body of Francis 'Frankie' Dunne was found in the back garden of a derelict house on the Boreeenmanna Road 16:34Joe O'SheaWalk-in Vaxx centre in Cork City this weekend A walk-in vaccine centre is open at Cork City Hall this evening until six and will also be taking people tomorrow.The centre will offer Pfizer vaccine for doses 1 and 2 to all those aged 12 years and over.And the Booster vaccine available for healthcare workers and 60-69-year olds only.No appointment is necessary and the times are:Today - walk-In clinic for doses 1 and 2 for all aged 12 years or over, and the booster vaccine for Healthcare Workers and 60–69-year-olds only will take place from 11.00am to 3.00pm. Tomorrow - doses 1 and 2 for all aged 12 years or over, and the booster vaccine for Healthcare Workers and 60–69-year-olds only from 2.00pm to 6.00pm. Saturday - doses 1 and 2 for all aged 12 years or over and the booster vaccine for Healthcare Workers and 60–69-year-olds from 9.00am to 3.00pm.15:40Joe O'SheaCabinet meeting has begun - any new restrictions likely to stay in place until early JanuaryIt's reported that the letter from Dr Tony Holohan which has sparked this emergency cabinet meeting has recommended that restrictions remain in place until 9 January.Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer (Image: :Gareth Chaney/Collins)14:46Gavin O'CallaghanWhat is to be announced later?Taoiseach Micheal Martin will this evening announce new restrictions for Ireland that are likely to be in place until after Christmas.Hospitality is the big sector set for more change while household gatherings are also expected to be scaled back after NPHET's recommendations.Cabinet Ministers are due to meet at 3pm on Friday and an announcement is expected from Taoiseach Micheal Martin later today.The letter from Dr Holohan to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly recommends that the restrictions remain in place until January 9.Concerts and indoor events should operate at 50% capacity, NPHET has advised the Government.Pubs, nightclubs and restaurants are set to face more restrictions with Dr Tony Holohan recommending closing times should be further scaled back - perhaps to 11.30pm again.No bar service or movement between tables are among the measures too which could in turn see nightclubs shutting again if table service only is permitted.In a bid to avoid large numbers of people socialising together, NPHET is also expected to advise the Government that bookings of multiple tables should not be allowed.It’s understood the measures could be implemented as early as this weekend.However, sources say businesses may be given a grace period to get organised.The Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 is currently meeting at Government Buildings.Among the recommendations, people will not be allowed to have more than three other households in their homes.13:40Joe O'SheaLatest news on recommendations from NEPHET Mulitple reports are saying the advice from public health officials to the government - and this is yet to be signed off on - includes: Hospitality Sector: 50 percent capacity for Live Venues and seated only. Pubs to close at 11.30pm.Table service only. Nightclubs will effectively be closed. Household Visits over Christmas: A limit of for households in one home (including the hosts)Covid Certs: Will be extended to gyms and hotels. 13:03Joe O'SheaPub groups say they are expecting new supports if restrictions tighten again The Vintners' Federation of Ireland said it expects an announcement later today on restrictions and supports for the hospitality sector.Representatives from the sector met with Taoiseach Micheal Martin on Friday morning.A spokesperson for the VFI said following the talks: "A constructive meeting was held this morning between the Taoiseach Michael Martin TD and representatives of the hospitality sector.Empty beer kegs seen outside a closed pub in Dublin city centre."The Taoiseach said he understood the public health messaging that people should avoid socialising was having a hugely detrimental impact on the trade in what should be the busiest period of the year for pubs."Government has committed to avoiding uncertainty about new restrictions continuing into the weekend so we expect further developments later today."The key issue of supports for the sector was also discussed. Again, we expect an announcement on that issue shortly."13:02Joe O'SheaFurther details on that 50 per cent capacity rule for hospitality - a recommendation from NEPHET Concerts and indoor events should operate at 50% capacity, NPHET has advised the Government.If the rule is adopted by Government, this would be a major blow for the entertainment industry.Cabinet Ministers are due to meet at 3pm on Friday and an announcement is expected from Taoiseach Micheal Martin later today.The letter from Dr Holohan to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly recommends that the restrictions remain in place until January 9.Pubs, nightclubs and restaurants are set to face more restrictions with Dr Tony Holohan recommending closing times should be further scaled back - perhaps to 11.30pm again.No bar service or movement between tables are among the measures too which could in turn see nightclubs shutting again if table service only is permitted.In a bid to avoid large numbers of people socialising together, NPHET is also expected to advise the Government that bookings of multiple tables should not be allowed.It’s understood the measures could be implemented as early as this weekend.However, sources say businesses may be given a grace period to get organised.12:14Gavin O'CallaghanFifty-percent capacity at indoor eventsNPHET have advised that live gigs indoor will have to run at 50 percent capacity, RTE reports/The national broadaster is reporting that Dr Tony Holohan also advised to bring hospitality back to "where they were before October 22nd".That'd mean table service only and no moving around.11:06Joe O'SheaYou can support the Cork Air ambulance with a fun family quiz tonightWhatever the restrictions in place - the Cork-based Irish Community Air Ambulance will be on call 365 days a year including Christmas Day. 11:06Gavin O'CallaghanSix per table and no more clubsCorkBeo understands the CMO has recommended seating rules that would mean the closure of clubs again, and that tables in hospitality should be limited back to 6 max.A full cabinet meeting is expected at 3pm and an announcement should be made tonight.The new rules themselves wouldn't be implemented until a later date.10:32Gavin O'CallaghanWhat we knowThe Cabinet sub-committee will meet at 11am to discuss NPHET's recommendations.That means a decision on potential new rules could be made as early as today, and there could be a official announcement later.Among the things being looked at are: Limits on household visitsThey're looking at limiting visits to three or four households.HospitalityThere could be a reduction to the number of people who can sit at one table, and ban multiple bookings again.Live musicThis could go back to seating only, so clubs would face closures again too.Covid CertsThese could come into place for things outside of hospitality including gyms and hairdressers.More OnCoronavirus