“All restrictions” should be lifted by Christmas including reopening of nightclubs, says Stephen Donnelly

“What we would like is a lifting of all restrictions as quickly as possible."

"All restrictions" should be lifted by Christmas including the reopening of nightclubs, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said on Tuesday. When asked on Tuesday if he thought all remaining restrictions in place would be lifted before Christmas including the full reopening of live entertainment events and nightclubs, Donnelly said: “Yes, I do. “Obviously specific dates are something we will be looking to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) for and we’ll be discussing at Cabinet. But certainly yes. "The view would be that we would be open this calendar year." He added that the Government plans to move to the next phase of easing restrictions soon with an announcement set to be made on Tuesday or Wednesday. Donnelly was speaking at a Covid-19 test centre near Croke Park when he added that he would hope to see any remaining restrictions removed in the coming months. “What we would like is a lifting of all restrictions as quickly as possible," he said. The Minister added that certain health measures such as mask-wearing and regular handwashing may be in place for longer, especially in crowded places. “There may be restrictions that we get public health advice to keep with for some time," he said. It comes as The Event Industry Alliance called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to fully reopen the Live Entertainment and Event industry by 1 September. The group said that unless the industry is fully reopened by that date, Martin should step down as Taoiseach. In a statement, the group pointed to the All-Ireland Hurling Final held in Croke Park on Sunday which did not require Covid-19 testing, contact tracing or proof of vaccination. Main Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.