Health officials meeting to discuss whether pubs should reopen

Image via Pixabay

Public health officials are discussing the reopening of pubs and international travel at a meeting today.

The National Public Health Emergency Team will be discussing whether all remaining pubs can reopen next week as part of Phase 4.

Publicans have been calling for clarity. Padraig Cribben from the Vintners Federation of Ireland says they need a decision today.

"We need to get guidelines so that people know exactly how they will be set up come next Monday and we need a decision," he explained.

"I don't think we can wait until the weekend".

The NPHET will also be considering international travel during today's discussions.

Calls have been growing to enforce a mandatory quarantine. There’s pressure for officials to force people into quarantine when they arrive from coronavirus hotspots rather than just asking them.

However, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said earlier today that mandatory quarantine is not legal or practical.

So far, 1,746 people have died from coronavirus in Ireland while there have been more than 25,600 confirmed cases.