The owners of midlands golf resort believe they should be allowed to reopen.
NPHET has warned the government against any significant easing of Covid restrictions over the next few weeks amid fears of a fourth wave before the summer.
Public health officials gave a sobering presentation to a group of senior cabinet Ministers last night.
The cabinet sub-committee on COVID heard presentations from Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn, modelling expert Prof Philip Nolan and head of the vaccines taskforce Prof Brian MacCraith as part of 5 hours of consideration of restrictions.
A number of Ministers present said the health officials stressed the risk of a significant resurgence of the virus before the summer, fueled by the B117 variant.
They said the analysis showed how precarious things still are - and that NPHET advised against any significant easing of restrictions over the coming weeks, saying case, hospital and ICU numbers are still worse now than at previous peaks.
The health officials also said there would be significant gains from keeping the virus suppressed through lockdown until more people have been vaccinated.
The measures planned for easing in April are still on the table as the cabinet meets this afternoon.
They include lifting the 5km travel limit, allowing some construction to return, some outdoor meet-ups resuming, the return of underage sport, the full return of schools and possibly resuming click-and-collect shopping.
However, they won't all be done on April 5th and will likely be phased through the month instead.
The challenge for cabinet today will be reaching a compromise that goes far enough to secure continued or renewed public buy-in for restrictions while also heeding the very stark warnings from NPHET.
Golf is one of the outdoor activities that could be among the first to resume as part of any easing of restrictions.
Lynn McCool from Glasson Lakehouse in Co Westmeath says courses are just as safe as parks:
€114m Westmeath Wastewater Upgrade Complete
Mary O’Rourke Praised As “Hard Working” At Bridge Naming Ceremony
No Mini Budget Planned Despite Pressure Over Fuel And Energy Prices
Africa Day Celebrations Kick Off Across The Midlands
Tánaiste Hails ‘Proof’ Of Help to Buy Scheme Success Across The Midlands
Westmeath Woman Recounts Israeli Interception
Man Charged In Connection With Fatal Offaly House Fire
Mercosur Trade Deal Kicks Into Action Ahead Of European Court Ruling
Westmeath Woman "Deeply Ashamed" Of Spitting Incident
Taoiseach Pays Tribute To Mary O'Rourke At Bridge Dedication
Midlands Walking Club Celebrates 30th Anniversary This Weekend
OPW Minister Wants "Grown Ups" To Resolve Children's Science Museum Fallout
Offaly TD Criticises VAT Disparity For Beauty And Nail Salons
Laois Council Launches Clinics For Vacant Home Grants
Former Children's TV Presenter Revisits Midlands Towns On Nostalgic Journey
€7m Shannon Callows Flood Plans Facing Key Hurdles
Appeal Lodged Against New Lidl Development In Laois
Housing Completions Jump Sharply In Laois In Early 2026
Bressie To Perform At Oprah Winfrey Dublin Show
Daniel Kinahan To Be Held In Laois Prison