Mick from Cork must read what I write .
The Government’s new strategy for living with Covid-19 will set out plans for a staggered return of construction and a slow return to schooling while maintaining a prohibition on indoor house visits and hospitality.
The new plan is in the early stages of being drafted and sources involved in the process say that while no dates will be explicitly set out for the reopening of society and economy, increased vaccinations should allow for progress in May or June.
Industry sources believe that the hospitality sector may only begin reopening on an outdoor basis from the May bank holiday onwards with a phased reopening for indoor settings as the summer months progress, depending on the level of virus in circulation.
Mass gatherings of more than 50 people are unlikely until a large swathe of the population have been vaccinated, with the Government cautiously optimistic about this being achieved in September.
Schools
The priority in the revised Living with Covid-19 plan will be slowly reopening schools alongside an incremental return in construction which prioritises the building of houses. While restrictions may be eased to allow people to meet outdoors, the ban on house visits is likely to be extended.
The plan will also see the extension of pandemic welfare supports and new commitments in relation to coronavirus antigen testing and greater levels of genomic sequencing.
The Cabinet had been expected to sign off on Tuesday on a new path for the Leaving Certificate but sources in the Department of Education say there is no certainty yet about this timeline.
Talks between the unions and the department took place on Sunday and will resume again on Monday.
SEPTEMBER FOR PUBS. The tax losses to the state must be huge .
