The Health Minister said regulation of coronaviruses in Kildare, Lois and Offery remains “very promising” and will be lifted next week.
Stephen Donnelly was talking after a new record of about 1,100 viruses in Ireland over the last two weeks.
The highest figures since early May were recorded on Saturday when authorities announced 200 new cases.
on Newstalk breakfast This morning, Minister Donnelly said he was “very hopeful” that the two weeks in three Midland counties could be lifted when they expire on Sunday.
“Two weeks was introduced as a recommendation from NPHET. Obviously we are always learning about this virus and trying to be more and more targeted about what needs to happen, so it was less than the previous three weeks. I did,” he said.
“NPHET is meeting today. They will meet later this week and make recommendations, but so far we hope these restrictions will be relaxed after midnight this Sunday. ..
“But as always, we listen very carefully to public health doctors.”
Minister Donnelly said the government has “four major priorities” in antivirus protection in the coming months: “public health, reopening schools, reopening health care and protecting employment.”
He said states, employers, and the public had to do everything they could to contain the virus, and further restrictions were only provided as a last resort.
“Job is not a direct public health consideration that I speculate, but economics and employment are also important because the second wave of regulation can have a devastating effect on the whole country.” He said.
“NPHET advises from a public health perspective. Governments must take that advice and make decisions nationwide.”
“In Ireland, what public health doctors really worry about is their emergence across the country,” he said.
“The next three weeks are really, very important in terms of protecting the economy, opening schools and opening hospitals,” he said.
“Employers are responsible for ensuring that all infection control is in place and that face covers are used.
“But more importantly, each of us is responsible. Listen to public health doctors, use face coverings, and ask for social distances and for us to follow. Follow other rules that are in place.”
Minister Donnelly said authorities “acted very quickly” to curb the outbreaks in Kildare, Laois, and Offalie, arguing that “life was saved” as a result of the restrictions.
