Longer Opening Hours For Pubs Being Considered By NPHET

Thursday, 20 January 2022 10:04

By Caoimhe Harney

NPHET meet this morning.

Longer opening hours for pubs and restaurants and larger crowds at events are being discussed by NPHET this morning.

Health officials are considering what recommendations to make on easing measures ahead of a cabinet meeting tomorrow.

The country is now past the peak of the Omicron wave - with case numbers starting to fall.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said we have make it through the Omicron wave of Covid-19 better than expected.

Speaking on RTE radio this morning, he said that the situation was “positive” but cautioned there may yet be another chapter to the pandemic.

“We have come through Omicron better than we might have expected prior to Christmas.

"The combination of the booster campaign and vaccination allied to the fact that Omicron does not appear to be as virulent as Delta and previous waves has meant that the impact on people in terms of severe illness, death, and ICUs has been much less,”

Professor Tomas Ryan spoke with Clem Ryan on Thursday morning's Kildare Today: "The omicron has not been as damaging as it has been in other countries, because of the vaccination programme.

"We don't know how long immunity lasts for omicron and we don't know the long term impacts of covid.

"We need to prepare for new variants and prepare for new strains of omicron. " he insisted.

Tomas Ryan, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College:

More from Local News

Department Of Housing Shifts Blame On To Council As Kildare Families Priced Out Of "Affordable" Housing Again

In a statement to Kfm News, the Department said the Barracksfield West development is part of the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, and that the minimum prices, about 24% below market value, were decided by the Council.
Outbreak Of Bird Flu Has Been Confirmed In Carlow Turkey Flock

All flock owners have been urged to be vigilant for signs of bird flu and to maintain biosecurity measures
Lidl To Open Country’s First Net Zero Energy Store In Maynooth This Thursday

Designed in partnership with the Irish Green Building Council, the supermarket will generate as much energy as it consumes annually.
Contract For Maynooth Eastern Ring Road Project Awarded To Company Based In Kilcullen

The new single carriageway relief road will connect the R405 Celbridge Road in the south to the R148 Leixlip Road in the north.
Policy Shift Allows Private Sector To Construct Wastewater Plants For New Housing

Up until now, only Uisce Eireann has been allowed do this.
End Of An Era At Berney Bros Saddlery In Kilcullen As Master Craftsman Retires After 51 Years

Audio

During his half-century with the company, Clifford worked on saddles for many of the leading names in Irish racing, particularly through the 1970s.
Parents Invited To Take Part In Major Survey On Primary Education’s Future

Audio

95 per cent of the country’s almost 3,100 primary schools fall under the patronage of religious bodies, according to figures from Education & Training Boards Ireland.
€102,600 Granted For Repairs To The Ballymore Eustace Liffey Linear Golden Falls Loop Walk

The funding is part of a €16.5 million national allocation supporting 63 projects across Ireland, including walking trails, mountain access routes, and outdoor water-based amenities.