The Cabinet met this afternoon to discuss whether the country could move to Phase 4 next Monday.
However, following advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team, the Government has decided to push back Phase 4 of the reopening by a further three weeks.
From pubs and face coverings to the Green List and large gatherings, here is what the Government decided on today:
- The reopening of pubs, hotel bars and nightclubs will not go ahead on 10 August as planned. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said this will be reviewed again in three weeks' time.
- Pubs, serving food, and restaurants will now have to close by 11pm. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said all customers would have to be off these premises by 11pm but staff could stay to clean up and he said they could stay open for takeaways and deliveries.
- The size of crowds gathering will remain at 200 for outdoors and 50 for indoors. The GAA, FAI and other sporting organisations had hoped that the numbers that could attend would be increased to 500.
- Face coverings will be mandatory in retail settings around the country from 10 August. People will have to wear face coverings in all shops and shopping centres.
- Malta, Cyprus, Gibraltar, San Marino and Monaco have been dropped from the Green List of countries that are safe to travel to. People who arrive into Ireland from countries not on the Green List have to restrict their movements for a 14-day period.
- Mr Martin reiterated that opening the schools and the resumption of non Covid-19 health procedures in a safe way was essential.
