Martin said the country’s rise in infections was “a cause for deep concern” as he announced a series of new measures aimed at “massive reduction of socialization.”
These include a return to instructing people to work from home and expanding where vaccination cards are required – people now have to show them in theaters and cinemas.
Ireland has the highest vaccination rate in Europe, with 89.1% of people over 12 being vaccinated, but the country’s ramp-up program is only open to over 60s, healthcare workers and those with risk. The government is planning to give a third dose to people in their 50s and those with underlying health conditions, Martin said.
Ireland recorded its highest number of cases since January last Friday, when 5,483 new infections were reported. The mortality rate remains much lower than it was during the January peak, but is inching up.
The county also recorded its second-highest hospitalization rate for all of 2021 this week, according to Martin. According to broadcaster RTÉ, one of Dublin’s main hospitals, Mater Hospital, switched to a spike in ICU capacity on Monday and is now on ventilators for patients outside the intensive care service, according to state broadcaster RTÉ.
But the new regulations have been met with disappointment in the hotel sector – especially for owners of nightclubs, which were only allowed to reopen last month after shutting down since. March 2020.
The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) said in a statement posted that the move was “a highly disappointing measure for many pubs and nightclubs operating late, many of which will be forced to close for just three days.” week after reopening.”
The CEO of the Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI), Adrian Cummins, said that given the country’s high vaccination rates, the “reimposition of restrictions on hospitality shows that living with COVID-19 shows that living with COVID-19 is a good thing.” is not feasible for our country.”
Martin said the measures agreed by the Cabinet earlier on Tuesday represent “an appropriate response to the situation we are in”. “And I know that no one wants to go back to a world of rampant restrictions,” he added.
Ireland now joins several EU countries to re-impose restrictions before winter. Covid-19 infections are on the rise across the bloc, especially in the central and eastern parts of the region.
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