20% of people want slower reopening as Government set to ease all restrictions by 22 October

"What we're looking to do is remove the final restrictions that are in place."

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said that 20% of people want a slower reopening pace as Government is set to ease all remaining Covid-19 restrictions by 22 October. Donnelly added that the latest research showed that about 60% of the population were comfortable with the pace of reopening, 20% wanted a faster reopening and 20% wanted the country to open up at a slower pace. "What we're looking to do is remove the final restrictions that are in place," he said ahead of this afternoon's Cabinet meeting. "For those sectors who have yet to reopen it's still incredibly difficult, so we're looking at removing the restrictions that are in place, while still keeping public health measures. "The latest research we have shows that 60% are comfortable with the pace we have been reopening, 20% want to reopen faster and 20% want to reopen slower and we have to be very cognizant of that. "Obviously the sectors most affected have been very loud." He added that the majority of those sectors were "broadly comfortable" with the Government's pace of reopening. Donnelly said that while Government are hoping to ease all restrictions in October, with the first changes expected to take place on 6 September, there will be ongoing public health measures such as mask-wearing. The phased return of workers to offices is also expected to take place on 20 September, under plans set to be approved by Cabinet today. It is also expected that masks will still be required in certain settings as public transport is expected to make a full capacity return from Wednesday. Multiple reports have also suggested that the 6 September will see indoor venues allowed to host events with 60% capacity for fully vaccinated people, and outdoor events with 75% capacity. The number of people allowed to attend outdoor sporting events is also set to increase on the 6 September. Meanwhile, communions and confirmations are also expected to be allowed to resume on the same date. Main Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.