The Government have announced a new set of Covid-19 restrictions that will start to come into place on Christmas Eve and will run until January 12.
After a significant rise in Covid-19 case numbers in recent days, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin addressed the nation this afternoon to announce a new set of Level 5 measures aimed and preventing any further spread of coronavirus.
The restrictions affect areas such as hospitality, travel, retail, personal services and home visits and you can find everything you need to know below:
Restaurants and gastropubs
Ordered to close from 3pm on Christmas Eve.
Non-essential retail
Open but January sales events deferred.
Travel
No ‘new’ inter-county travel from the end of St. Stephen’s Day. If you have stayed in a different county for Christmas, this does not mean you have to return immediately. You can remain where you are until circumstances (such as work) force you to leave.
Home visits
Visits from up to two other households up until the end of St. Stephen’s Day. Visits from just one other household will be allowed from December 27. No visitors permitted in homes from January 1 until January 12.
Weddings
Maximum 25 guests until January 1. Six guests from January 2 onwards.
Hairdressers and barbers
Ordered to close from end of St. Stephen’s Day.
British travel ban
Will remain in place until New Year’s Eve.
Religious worship
Online from December 26.
(source: Gov.ie)
Cabinet has reportedly been told that Covid-19 case numbers reported in the 24 hours up to midnight on Monday night are over 900. If this is confirmed later, it will be the highest number of cases since the October Bank Holiday weekend.
The new restrictions can be viewed in greater detail via this link.
