Martin said the country’s rise in infections is “a cause for deep concern” as he unveiled new measures aimed at “reducing socialization across the board”.
They include the return of guidance that people work from home and an expansion of where vaccination passes are required – people now have to show them in cinemas and cinemas.
Ireland has the highest vaccination rate in Europe, with 89.1% of people over the age of 12 being vaccinated, but its booster program is only available to healthcare workers over 60 and those at risk. Martin said the government plans to give a third dose to people in their 50s and those with underlying health conditions.
Ireland reported its highest case count since January last Friday, when 5,483 new infections were reported. The death toll is much lower than it was in January’s peak, but is trending upward.
According to Martin, the county this week recorded its second highest rate of hospital admissions in 2021. According to state broadcaster RTÉ, one of the main hospitals in the capital Dublin, Mater Hospital, went into ICU surge capacity on Monday and is now ventilating patients outside intensive care.
But the new rules were met with disappointment in the hospitality sector – particularly among owners of nightclubs, which were only allowed to reopen last month after being closed since March 2020.
The Winters Federation of Ireland (VFI) said in a statement that the move was “a very disappointing measure for many late night pubs and nightclubs, many of which will be forced to close three weeks after reopening “
Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), said given the country’s high vaccination rate, “reimposing restrictions on hospitality shows that living with COVID is not viable for our country.”
Martin said the measures that cabinet agreed earlier on Tuesday “represent an appropriate response to the situation in which we find ourselves.” “And I know nobody wants to go back to a world of widespread sanctions,” he said.
Ireland has now joined a growing number of EU countries to reimpose restrictions ahead of winter. The Covid-19 infection is increasing across the block, especially in the central and eastern parts of the region.
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