The Taoiseach has said that the Covid-19 situation is very serious and that further action will be needed.
Micheál Martin said they will give NPHET’s recommendation “very detailed consideration, examining all aspects of this, and make sure when we respond, it will be with a comprehensive response”.
He said that he read through the advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team this morning, which recommended a move to Level 5 restrictions.
He will meet the party leaders tomorrow, along with the Minister for Finance, Minister for Public Expenditure and Minister for Health.
Mr Martin said his officials already met Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn this morning.
Mr Martin said he shares the objectives of NPHET in terms of protecting the elderly and the vulnerable, as well as making sure children can stay in school.
He added that there are also enormous economic consequences that it has to “plan for and deal with”.
He said he did not want to put a timeline on a decision because Government will have to meet but said in advance of that, he wanted to have the situation “well documented and well prepared”.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that he was “not surprised” that NPHET had again recommended moving the entire country to Level 5 given that virus rates have continued to rise
He said the Government would consider the recommendation, but the decision needs to take into account both public health and the impact on society and the economy.
He warned that a second lockdown would be a lot more difficult than the first and said the public would want to know what the exit strategy would be.
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