The proposed relaxation of Covid restrictions on indoor drinking and dining is due to take place on July 5th.

The National Public Health Emergency Team [NPHET] are due to meet today, Monday, June 28, to consider its advice to Government on whether or not to further ease restrictions.

Cabinet is expected to make a decision on the issue as early as tomorrow. These discussions come amid concerns about the rising levels of the Delta coronavirus variant recorded in the country.

In advance of today’s meeting, it is understood that Taoiseach Micheál Martin spoke with Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan, alongside Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and the Green Party leader Eamon Ryan.

Under the current reopening plan, indoor dining in pubs and restaurants is set to reopen on July 5th.

Business and hospitality groups have called for clarity, amid growing speculation that this date will be pushed back. While a decision was not expected until Friday July 2nd,  the Taoiseach said yesterday that Cabinet will make its decision early this week.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland programme this morning, Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said that a decision will occur tomorrow, “I’ve heard very clearly a very reasonable request from people working in the hospitality sector across the weekend, where they’ve been saying ‘at the very least, can you give us clarity and certainty as early as possible in the week?'”.

“The Taoiseach made it clear yesterday that he wants that to happen, and I would expect the Cabinet now to be in a position to make that decision tomorrow,” he added.

The possibility of reopening being delayed until 19 July has been mooted, as this date coincides with the return of international travel.

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