In response to growing concern over numerous new cases, the cabinet is set to roll back plans for easing of restrictions.

Following a meeting with the cabinet today it is expected that the wearing of face masks in shops and various other indoor places will be made compulsory.

It comes after concern at the rise in the number of cases of coronavirus in Ireland in recent weeks following the opening up of some parts of the economy.

Mandate general sectary John Douglas has said, “Rather, the wearing of face masks in shops and supermarkets will be an added protective measure taken to ensure we can keep retail workers as safe as possible. Wearing face coverings in shops and supermarkets should be seen as a reasonable mitigation against the unprecedented risk posed by the Coronavirus to those brave front line workers.”

Pubs and nightclubs in Republic of Ireland were due to reopen this coming Monday but the Cabinet has decided the push back the date over fears about the rise in coronavirus cases. New date is 10th of August. #COVID19

— Brendan Marshall (@BJPMarshall) July 15, 2020

It also appears that phase four of the easing of restrictions is unlikely to go ahead on July 20. Currently, pubs that did not serve a substantial meal and clubs are not permitted to open and though the earmarked date for reopening was July 20 it will now reportly be pushed until August 10 according to The Irish Times.