The Tánaiste has strongly hinted Dublin will be facing further restrictions from tomorrow.

It comes as the Government prepares to publish its medium-term COVID-19 plan.

The plan will include five levels of virus response and associated restrictions – with Level Five featuring a national lockdown-style response.

The country is expected to enter the new system on Level Two; however, However the Tánaiste has hinted Dublin could be placed on Level Three.

“Some regions and some counties are going to see local restrictions like the ones we saw in Kildare, Laois and Offaly,” he said.

“The good news about that is that they worked and that those restrictions were eased and released after a few weeks.

“So, the message I think to any county that may be heading into additional restrictions like Dublin for example, is that if we work together, we can get on top of it.”

Self-isolation

Meanwhile, the self-isolation period for COVID-19 patients has been reduced from two weeks to 10 days.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has written to the country’s GPs informing them of the change in clinical guidance.

The changes come into effect from today.

Under the new guidance, patients must isolate for a minimum of 10 days and must be symptom-free for at least five days before re-entering the community.

However, anyone who is a close contact of a confirmed case must continue to restrict their movements for 14 days.

Changes have come in to effect with regards to #Covid19 testing and advice from today

1. The period of self isolation for positive cases is now reduced to 10 days (from 14 days) the last 5 of which must be fever free

2. For close contacts restricted movements remains at 14 days pic.twitter.com/rvyYtZ5DDp

— Maitiu O Tuathail (@DrZeroCraic) September 14, 2020

Minister Varadkar said a new oversight group will also review the advice from NPHET in future.

“NPHET has enormous expertise around medicine and science but maybe not so much about the practicalities around running a bus service or running a business or staffing an office,” he said.

“What Government wants to do more of in the future is to take a bit of time to consider NPHET advice to make that it is practical in the real world.

“We are the politicians and we are the best-placed people to do that and that means in the future, we will take a little bit more time to consider NPHET advice before making a decision.”

The new plan is expected to remain in force until next April and Cabinet is due to sign off on it tomorrow.