Rise in COVID-19 cases throws Ireland’s reopening plan into uncertainty

A recent spike in COVID-19 infections has cast doubt on whether the final stages of Ireland’s phased reopening will be able to go ahead as planned.

Despite a high rate of vaccinations, recent weeks have seen a surge in cases. Ireland was among the countries listed by the European Centre of Disease Control last week as a “High Concern” place, the second most severe categorisation.

This coming Friday is supposed to mark the final lifting of restrictions, with rules reduced to just wearing masks in a select number of spaces.

Officials have refrained from cancelling the scheduled rollback of restrictions but have warned that it could be tempered.

Health Minister Simon Harris told RTÉ this week that rather than it being a question of pushing ahead with or abandoning the plans, a third way could involve easing restrictions while extending certain measures such as vaccine certificates or face masks.

Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Finance, also warned that it was now less likely that there would be a widespread return of workers to the office in the near future.

The cabinet is set to meet this week to discuss handling the public health situation heading into the winter period.

(Molly Killeen | EURACTIV.com)