The cabinet is preparing to meet this afternoon (Tuesday, August 18) to discuss recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

A full cabinet meeting was not originally scheduled to take place today; this has prompted speculation that further Covid-19 restrictions may be announced by the government this evening.

According to media reports, NPHET will reportedly recommend that older people should, once again, restrict their movements and avoid large gatherings.

It is also expected that there may be a tightening of the numbers permitted to gather in private houses – to clamp down on house parties.

NPHET will also, it is believed, advise that people who can work from home should do so over the coming weeks.

The speculation comes as 56 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed yesterday (Monday, August 17), with 322 cases identified since Saturday.

Are ‘agency workers’ being moved?

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised in some quarters that “agency workers” are being moved between food processing plants.

Also Read: Concerns raised that ‘agency workers’ are being moved between food processing plants

TD Jackie Cahill told AgriLand that he spoke with Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary this morning (Tuesday, August 18) telling him that there are “strong concerns and fears” that “workers supplied by agencies are being moved between processing facilities”.

Deputy Cahill said that he “raised the concern with the minister this morning about workers being supplied by agencies”.

He said: “There needs to be protocols in place that workers can’t move from one plant to another…and if they’re working through an agency they are required to stay at one location.”