Clare government representatives are expressing confidence that Level 5 COVID restrictions can be lifted safely.
The Cabinet is meeting today to discuss the exit from lockdown and what guidelines will be in place for families and businesses over Christmas.
There is an expectation that any re-opening of the economy will have to be done in a controlled way.
Senior Ministers are meeting today to discuss how the Government will exit lockdown next week.
The Government’s preference is to move directly to level three, while it’s expected NPHET will take a cautious approach.
It’s also likely that measures will be further eased for the festive period.
Less than 5 new cases were diagnosed in Clare yesterday, with the county’s incidence rate per 100,000 people now standing at 85.8, below the national average of 108.7.
Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey says the sacrifices people across this county and elsewhere have made should be taken into account this week.
Clare’s Fianna Fáil Senator believes a number of retailers should be allowed re-open next weekm, including shops, hairdressers and barbers, and restaurants, but that it should be done in a controlled way.
Timmy Dooley also believes that pubs will have to be to allowed to open soon, saying that people now know the necessity to social distance and follow public health guidelines.
But Senator Dooley says a delicate balancing act needs to be acheieved by Government.
Retail Excellence wants non-essential shops to be opened a day earlier than Level 5 restrictions are due to run out.
The Ennis-based lobby group wants the measures to be lifted on Monday, to allow for as much shopping time as possible in the run-up to Christmas, as well as allowing extended opening hours.
The group also says travel restrictions should be lifted while calling for indoor dining to be allowed for December.
