Businesses and the wider communities in Kildare, Laois and Offaly are awaiting with trepidation a decision expected tomorrow on whether local restrictions will be lifted or extended.
While the case numbers have fallen in Laois and Offaly since the "mini lockdown" was imposed a fortnight ago, they have remained stubbornly high in Kildare.
There are fears that Co Kildare will not be given any relief from the current restrictions.
Movement in and out of the counties has been restricted over the last two weeks and some outlets such as pubs, restaurant and coffee shops have been closed, apart from takeaway and limited outdoor business.
The rules have caused widespread despair and demands that the controls be eased.
"We need to come out of this, this weekend," County Kildare Chamber of Commerce CEO Allan Shine said today, adding that the situation has been "devastating" for local business.
"The thought of it being extended in Kildare would not be welcomed at all. We have always said public health has to be the number one priority of the Government, but the economy has to come a close second.
"We had just come out of lockdown, done the re-skilling and re-training, and then had to go into lockdown again."
Chairman of the County Kildare Vintners' Association, Declan Kennedy of the Clock House Bar in Maynooth, said publicans are at the end of their tether following the difficulties since lockdown began, with no light at the end of the tunnel.
"Pubs have been closed over the last five, six months, how could they survive? Handouts are not what they want, they just want to turn a few shillings so they can survive. If they can show they can do so safely, then they should be allowed to open."
At the Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth, general manager Ted Robinson said the hotel had hoped to fill 80% or 90% of the 150 rooms during these normally-busy August weeks. Instead, they are at about 15% occupancy.
He echoed the point about the restrictions being "devastating" for the hospitality industry in particular - and said the sector had been "wiped out" over the last two weeks.
"We have about 160 employees here and we had got back to about 130. It is about protecting those jobs."
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