Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has warned that some restrictions could still be kept on after October 22nd.
The majority of Covid-19 restrictions are due to lift in almost a week’s time, but case numbers will determine the extent of Ireland’s reopening, the Tanaiste said.
Concern surrounds the rise in Covid-19 cases, testing and tracing, and the number of patients in hospital and in ICUs.
Speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk, Mr Varadkar said he was keen to see the country reopening, but he couldn’t rule out the possibility of restrictions remaining.
“We’ve never managed to really get numbers down in Ireland,” Mr Varadkar said.
“There is going to be a NPHET meeting early next week – we have to see what the outcome of that meeting is and what their advice is.”
He said: “The plan is to lift pretty much all legal restrictions on October 22nd, to remove the vaccine pass from restaurants, for example, but that is something we have to consider next week, depending on the numbers and the advice from NPHET.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney also confirmed today that the Government will listen to the advice of medical and scientific experts before making any final decisions.
