NPHET strongly opposed to some parts of Government plans to exit lockdown next week

Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan is believed to have briefed Health Minister Stephen Donnelly on NPHET’s concerns.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is believed to be strongly opposed to certain aspects of the government’s plans to exit Level 5 restrictions next week. The entire country has been under Level 5 restrictions since late October. The restrictions are due to be lifted next Tuesday (1 December) and the government is expected to confirm how the country will exit Level 5 in an announcement tomorrow (27 November). Prior to that, however, The Irish Times has reported that NPHET has signalled what is described as “strong opposition” to some of the government’s plans. It has been speculated, for instance, that over the coming weeks, retail stores and pubs serving food will be permitted to open and that travel restrictions will be lifted so that people can visit their families over Christmas. While a formal letter outlining NPHET’s opposition to government plans has not yet been provided to government, the Irish Times reports that two sources close to the matter have said that NPHET is likely to outline its opposition to some aspects of the reopening. Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan is believed to have briefed Health Minister Stephen Donnelly on NPHET’s concerns and Donnelly is said to have relayed them to senior government figures on Thursday. A meeting of the Cabinet committee on Covid-19 is due to take place on Thursday evening to finalise plans for a lockdown exit, which will be put to Cabinet on Friday ahead of an official announcement later in the day.