Nightclubs reopening
Fáilte Ireland will publish new guidelines this evening which will outline the almost full reopening of the hospitality sector.
Most pre-pandemic operations will resume for nightclubs and live music venues, while the majority of remaining restrictions in pubs, restaurants and bars will also be lifted.
An hour-long meeting between Government officials and representatives of the hospitality industry on Wednesday afternoon was described as “very successful”, with a number of anomalies resolved.
Covid warning to over-60s
Those over the age of 60 and the vulnerable have once again been told to limit their movements as Covid-19 deaths are set to surge in the coming weeks.
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan described the deteriorating Covid situation as “worrying and concerning”. He said it was particularly important that people who are vulnerable to Covid and people aged over 60 “make an effective assessment of their own risks.”
This could include walking out of restaurants that fail to check for Covid passes, or leaving establishments where people feel the environment is not safe for staff and customers, he said.
Booster vaccines
Pharmacists should be involved in the rollout of the booster vaccine campaign, the general-secretary of the Irish Pharmacy Union has said.
Darragh O’Loughlin said pharmacists had been included in the original plans as vaccinators but were not included until the summer.
Meanwhile, Dr Holohan has said that there are no plans to extend the vaccine booster programme to the under-40s “any time soon”, but that it will go ahead for vulnerable groups.
Centenary church service
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and British prime minister Boris Johnson are among dignitaries who attended a church service to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland’s formation.
Northern Secretary Brandon Lewis, First Minister Paul Givan, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, UUP leader Doug Beattie, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Alliance leader Naomi Long also attended the service at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh.
Sinn Féin did not send a representative. Britain's Queen Elizabeth had been set to attend but was unable to travel after she fell ill. President Michael D Higgins declined an invitation to attend because he believed it was not politically neutral.
