Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the government will not be reintroducing restrictions to curb the surge in Covid-19 cases.
In an exclusive Sunday Independent interview, Mr Martin said: “We do not want to go back, and we are not contemplating going backwards. The only issue facing us now is going forward.”
Ahead of a critical briefing from public health advisers Nphet tomorrow, the government is, however, ready to pause the lifting of remaining restrictions until the latest surge is under control.
As concern grows this weekend about the rise in the rate of infection, the government is concentrating on extending the vaccination ‘booster’ programme, and will also launch a new initiative to encourage the partially and unvaccinated to get the jab.
Yesterday there were indications that the hesitant were signing up for the vaccine with 3,500 new registrations over a three-day period.
Separately, the Sunday Independent is reporting that the government is to order a ramping up of spot-check inspections in pubs and restaurants to stem the rise of Covid.
To read the full Sunday Independent report, click here.
