Government hoping to end almost all Covid-19 restrictions by 22 October

Clara Kelly

The plans will go to Cabinet tomorrow.

Government is hoping to end almost all Covid-19 restrictions by 22 October as plans are set to go to Cabinet tomorrow.

The phased return of workers to offices is also expected to take place on 20 September.

It is also expected that maks 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.

The final decision will be made on the easing of restrictions and the dates which they will be eased at a Government meeting on Tuesday.

It comes as Minister Eamon Ryan said that there could be “staggered” closing and opening times when the entertainment sector reopens as he expects all Covid-19 restrictions to be eased in October, including a “flexible” return to offices.

“Everything won’t change, by the time we get into October, most of the restrictions should start to ease,” he said on Monday.

“The music and hospitality sector made a good point, we don’t want everyone out at the same time, so having a staggered opening and closing times makes sense and a staggered approach to getting back to the offices as well so that we don’t see the traffic jams coming back.”

When asked when people can expect the majority of restrictions to be eased he said that there will likely be a “flexible approach” starting in the middle of September, with “most of the restrictions being eased in October”.

Ryan added that the 11.30pm curfew on indoor hospitality will also likely be lifted, however, opening and closing times for venues may be “staggered” at first.

He said that the return to offices will “start with getting people used to getting back into work” adding that it will be up to employers to assess how employees return as “each office is different”.

“Return to work I think is going to be very flexible, return to the offices – it will require a lot of flexibility in individual organisations,” he said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said the government will tomorrow provide a timeline for easing remaining restrictions across Ireland.

The Cabinet subcommittee on Covid-19 is set to meet on Monday to finalise the plans, following a lengthy meeting last week.

That’s what the industry is asking for [specific dates],” Minister Simon Coveney said this morning on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland.

“The Government wants to open up, and to do that as safely as we can. One thing we will definitely do tomorrow is give people specific dates so they can plan their businesses and lives around dates in the future.”

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