THE NATIONAL Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has warned that the country could be facing thousands of Covid-19 cases per day in just over a month if the Delta variant continues to dominate.
They've told Government that failing to delay the reopening plan would be perilous and will likely accelerate the spread of virus.
As such, indoor dining in pubs and restaurants, which has been tentatively set for July 5, is expected to be pushed back in an effort to reduce transmission.
Medical experts presented analysis to senior minister on Monday suggesting that if the reopening plan proceeds as normal, Ireland could face thousands of cases per day by August.
It's understood that much of the reopening plan will be pushed back for several weeks, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
"The initial analysis by NPHET of the potential impact of the Delta variant in terms of the number of cases, hospitalisations, has to be taken very seriously," said Ireland's Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.
"It gives us an additional impetus to do everything we can to get everybody vaccinated.
"I prefer not to say exactly what will happen in terms of July 5, because it's a conversation that has to be had at Cabinet. But it's certainly serious."
Unconfirmed reports suggest that July 19 will be the new reopening date.
There are also rumours that Government is considering only allowing fully vaccinated individuals into indoor public areas such as pubs and restaurants.
As of July 2, Ireland will be the only country in the EU not to have opened indoor dining to the public.
