TÁNAISTE Leo Varadkar has stated there’s “growing self-confidence” that a Covid-19 vaccine will be available in the very first half of next year.
ut he cautioned that until that occurs it will be a “video game of feline and mouse” with the virus that will mean local restrictions for some parts of the country.
There is growing concern over the rise in infections in Dublin and the Cabinet is to fulfill tomorrow to select extra restrictions for the Capital.
They will think about new rules about visitors to a person’s house as well as whether or not to permit bars in Dublin that don’t serve food to open from September 21.
The Government is likewise settling its medium term plan for ‘Dealing with Covid’ which is likewise due to be published tomorrow.
Mr Varadkar was speaking as he launched new grants for small businesses affected by Covid-19 at the K-Leisure Centre in Naas.
He was asked about the considerations for brand-new Covid-19 procedures in Dublin where he stated the circumstance is “worrying”.
Mr Varadkar left open the possibility of localised limitations of the kind seen in Kildare, Laois and Offaly for Dublin.
He was asked if such local measures would become regular somewhere else in the country in the months ahead.
Mr Varadkar stated that stage of reacting to the pandemic is attempting to suppress the virus while opening the economy, schools and colleges.
” That in some methods is a video game of feline and mouse which does indicate local limitations of various levels being turned on and off for the next number of months.”
Nevertheless, he included: “There is hope on the horizon, a lot of progress is being made in regards to the vaccine.
” And I believe there’s growing confidence that in the first half of the new year, we’ll remain in a position to immunize older people, those most at threat and health care workers.
” That could change things, and alter things for the much better.
” However where we are at the minute I think we’re going to be for the next 6 months at least unfortunately,” Mr Varadkar included.
He said any extra limitations for Dublin will be chosen tomorrow.
Mr Varadkar included: “The fact is the scenario in Dublin is worrying. We have actually seen a circumstance where the occurrence of the virus was as low as 5 or six per 100,000 over 14 days and now it’s striking about80
.
” Depending upon how you count it a 10 or 20 fold increase in the occurrence of the infection in Dublin in the space of a few weeks.
” And while that has not yet resulted in a remarkable increase in individuals in medical facility or ICUs or deaths, the fact is that it’s probably going to head that way if we don’t get on top of it.
” We view what’s taking place in Madrid and in Spain, and we do not wish to go there.”
He included: “There is a chance to … flatten the curve once again in Dublin. We’ll like to decide as a Federal government tomorrow as to what blended of additional limitations will be needed in the Capital.”
Asked specifically about clubs reopening he reiterated that the choice will be made by Cabinet tomorrow.
He said: “what I can state is that based upon information, based on the evidence the scenario in Dublin is markedly different from the rest of the nation. And that will require a different reaction.”
On the possibility of the type of constraints on people’s travel seen in Kildare, Laois and Offaly last month Mr Varadkar said he would beware of explaining what happened in the three counties as a lock-down.
He stated usage of that word is reminds him of April and May when the schools were closed and people were limited to distances of tow or 5 kilometres from their homes.
” We’re ruling out that for any part of the nation at the minute”. He stated such procedures would be level five in the Federal government’s new plan.
Mr Varadkar added: “I do believe that some areas and some counties are visiting local restrictions like the ones that were seen in Kildare, Laois and Offaly.
” Fortunately about that is they worked, and those constraints were alleviated and launched after a few weeks.
” So, the message I believe to any county that might be heading into additional restrictions like Dublin, for example, is that if we work together, if we remember the three W’s [washing hands, wearing a face covering and watching distance from others], we can get on top of it.”
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