Government to make decision on hairdressers and other retail reopening

An announcement is expected tomorrow.

The government is set to consider the reopening of hairdressers, barbers, and non-essential retail today. Sub-Cabinet committee members will meet later today, Wednesday, to discuss the further easing of restrictions in May, including the potential reopening of salons and shops. On Thursday, the Cabinet will meet to further discuss the possibility of reopening Ireland's economy next month, as well as the reopening of the hospitality sector in June and July. An announcement on Ireland's second roadmap out of Covid is expected to be revealed tomorrow. According to RTÉ News, May will see the full reopening of the construction sector, hairdressers and other salons, as well as the phased reopening of non-essential retail. Museums, galleries, and libraries will also be permitted to reopen, and outdoor sports training for over 18s were likely resume. Taoiseach Micheál Martin told Fianna Fáil TDs at last night's parliamentary party meeting that June and July will focus on the return of the hospitality sector, including the reopening of hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses. He added that the possibility of so-called wet-pubs returning alongside pubs that serve food could also be on the cards. Martin did, however, add that reopening the economy too soon could lead to a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases. 426 new cases of the virus were recorded yesterday, and 10 new deaths. This comes after the government accepted new recommendations regarding vaccines from the The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee brought their proposal to Cabinet yesterday, recommending that the mRNA vaccine be offered to pregnant women between 14 and 36 weeks gestation following a discussion with their doctor. This recommendation was accepted, while the call for over 50s to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine has yet to be approved. A full announcement on the easing of restrictions and Ireland's roadmap out of Covid is expected to occur tomorrow.