Plans to reopen pubs have been postponed until August 10th.
A slight increase in the amount of daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 have prompted the Government to postpone plans to reopen pubs.
Pubs that do not serve food and nightclubs were earmarked to open on Monday but this has been pushed back by three weeks.
Growth in cases among younger people has influenced the decision approved by Cabinet on Wednesday evening.
At a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Tuesday morning, health officials warned against entering the fourth phase in reopening the country. Restrictions that were due to be eased on Monday will be deferred until August 10th.
Face coverings are expected to become mandatory in settings such as shops where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
Plans to allow larger crowds to gather from next Monday may not go ahead as planned. Currently a maximum of 50 people are allowed to gather indoors, it was due to be increased to 100 from Monday.
Presently, crowds of 200 can gather outside and from Monday it was set to be capped at 500. The increase in the size of crowds permitted would have allowed cultural and arts facilities, such as theatres, cinemas and galleries, to reopen their doors.
This decision will impact on the crowds permitted to attend the opening round of the Clare SHC and Clare IHC which commences next weekend.
