Government iron out re-opening issues
Officials are preparing sector-by-sector guidance ahead of the lifting of some Covid-19 measures.
Sectors due to reopen on October 22nd include aspects of the hospitality, entertainment and night-time economy sectors.
On Tuesday, the Government announced a return to full capacity for outdoor venues and lifting limits on numbers at indoor events among other restrictions that are set to lift.
Nightclubs will be subject to specific legal protective measures, including the use of Covid vaccine or recovery passes, collection of contact tracing data, and the wearing of face masks except when eating, drinking and dancing.
However, amid some confusion, the Taoiseach admitted there were anomalies in the plan which he said will be resolved.
Plans for antigen tests
The Government re-opening plan is set to put a greater emphasis on antigen testing.
Under new plans, antigen tests will be sent out to fully vaccinated close contacts of confirmed cases.
The Taoiseach has also said work is under way to allow antigen tests to “further improve the safety of certain events and activities”.
Children highlight mica crisis
Children from schools in Donegal are gathering outside the Dáil to highlight the ongoing mica crisis.
The Government has faced criticism for only offering 90 per cent redress under the current scheme, leaving property owners with significant bills to repair or rebuild homes.
However, the campaigners have continued to demand 100 per cent redress.
An estimated 5,000 homes in Co Donegal are affected by defective bricks, with thousands more understood to be in counties Sligo, Clare and Limerick.
National Slow Down Day
Motorists are being urged to reduce their speed and be mindful of vulnerable road users as part of National “Slow Down Day”.
The national speed enforcement operation, spearheaded by An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA), will take place for a 24-hour period from 7am on Thursday the 21st October.
As part of the operation, there will be high visibility speed enforcement in 1322 speed enforcement zones across the State.
The aim of “Slow Down Day” is to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding and increase compliance with speed limits.
