Phase Four Of Easing Restrictions Delayed Until Next Month

The Health Minister has played down the impact of foreign travel on the spread of the coronavirus, following the news Ireland won't be moving to phase four of the easing of Coronavirus restrictions next week.

The reproductive rate of the virus has now increased to between 1.2 and 1.8 and phase four has been delayed until August 10th.
It means pubs, nightclubs and casinos can't re-open and restrictions on public gatherings remain in place.
Face-coverings in all shops will become mandatory and no more than 10 people can attend social gatherings in a house.
A 'green list' for international travel will be published on Monday. The Health Minister, Wicklow T.D.  Stephen Donnelly has played down the impact of tourists on the spread of the virus.

Professor Sam McConkey, the president of the Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland, says it was right to halt the reopening plan.

Padraig Cribben, chief executive of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, says the delay to reopening all pubs will be  devastating.
He says publicans will now need extra funding from the government to ensure they don’t close for good.