NPHET has proposed to lift Coronavirus lockdown restrictions in Laois and Offaly.
The public health group met this afternoon and it is understood that they have recommended lifting restrictions in Laois and Offaly.
However, it is understood that they are recommending to government that restrictions will remain in place in Kildare.
The lockdown is due to last until midnight on Sunday August 23 and while it is not clear when it will be lifted, it is understood that it will be on this date.
Laois/Offaly TD, Charlie Flanagan has welcomed the proposal by NPHET to widen activities in Offaly and Laois.
He said: “I wish to confirm having directly spoken to the Health Minister Mr Stephen Donnelly on a number of occasions this week and wish to thank him for his engagement.
“I have also spoken with An Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and the office of Dr Colm Henry regarding the situation in Laois/Offaly.
“While welcoming the proposal to widen activities across the constituency, I would like to remind the self-employed about a number of business supports available to businesses in Kildare, Laois and Offaly, which have been adversely impacted by renewed Covid 19 restrictions.”
While Fine Gael Cllr Thomasina Connell, who was on the panel that met with Minister for Health Steohen Donnelly, welcomed the news.
She said: “I very much welcome this recommendation from NPHET in relation to Laois and Offaly.
“I hope now that the Minister for Health and cabinet will adopt this recommendation when they meet tomorrow.
“The people of Laois have been through an awful lot over the last five months and this news will be welcomed by businesses, the community and all sectors of society alike.”
Speaking in Borris-In-Ossory this evening, Cllr Conor Bergin welcomed the news that Laois is recommenced to be lifted from the lockdown this weekend, following the NPHET meeting today.
‘I greatly welcome the decision by NPHET this evening to recommend the lifting of the lockdown in County Laois this weekend. Myself and a number of Laois Councillors spoke with Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly by video conference this morning and we strongly urged the Minister to lift the lockdown in Laois, given the steady decrease of COVID-19 infections in our county over the last 13 days.
‘The Minister acknowledged that the people of Laois have made huge sacrifices during the second lockdown in August and the public must be thanked for playing their part in following the guidelines, social distancing and washing their hands.
‘Now that Laois is due to reopen, we need to all pull together more than ever and support local businesses which are reopening, promote tourism in our county and continue to look out for each other and stop the spread of the virus.
The recommendation will be brought before the cabinet tomorrow where it is set to be formally announced by the government.
Of course, regardless, Laois will still be subject to the new restrictions that were announced by the government earlier this week.
All sporting events are to be behind closed doors.
There is also new advice aimed at those over the age of 70 or those who have underlying health conditions.
This involves limiting their movements and avoiding congregated settings like shopping centres – but they do not include geographical limits as were present in previous restrictions.
In a bid to battle numbers attending house parties and similar social settings, Gardai are to be given new powers to police this.
The numbers of people who will be allowed to gather indoors will be reduced to six from three separate households, while outdoor house gatherings should be limited at 15.
Mass, religious congregation and weddings will be exempt from these limits meaning that 50 people can still attend these. And different rules will apply to shops and restaurants – them must be closed by 11.30pm.
While people are also advised to avoid public transport where possible. And people have also been asked to work from home where possible.
SEE ALSO – Coronavirus in Laois: Updated map shows detailed figures of Covid-19 infections
