Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
Nightclubs reopening, removal of wedding guest caps, antigen testing, Covid-19 pass requirement indoors, and continued mask-wearing are among the changes
The highly transmissible Delta variant has forced the Irish government to make last-minute changes to its COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery & Reconnecting plan. Under the plan to gradually reopen the economy and society, most of the pandemic restrictions were due to be lifted from Friday, 22 October, including attendance caps, mask wearing, physical distancing and self-isolation.
However, increasing infection rates in recent weeks along with hospitalisations and ICU admissions have prompted the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to suggest fully retaining the protective measures and wide implementation of the EU Digital COVID Certificate (Covid-19 pass).
Announcing the changes yesterday, the government assured that it is not going back on its plans to reopen the country, crediting the “hard work and exceptional support of the Irish people for the Vaccination Programme”. As of 18 October, 7 285 321 people or 88.21 percent of the eligible population have been fully vaccinated.
Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin said the measures will stay in place until February 2022.
The opposition has described the new government measures as rather chaotic, pointing to the lack of ventilation guidelines (and special air-conditioning filters) for schools, among others.
Later today, officials are expected to resume deliberations on the new enforcement measures and guidelines for nightclubs and live venues. The government has made it clear that current compliance with the Covid pass requirement in hospitality is insufficient. One in three clients says they have not been checked for possession of a Covid pass upon entry.
There is a lot of frustration in the live music sector with the partial reopening plan. Angela Dorgan, the Chief Executive of First Music Contact, told RTÉ's Prime Time that members cannot make "head nor tail" as to why nightclubs will be allowed to operate with fewer constraints than live venues.
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
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