The Government has confirmed a range of new Covid-19 measures, including the decision to keep schools closed until January 31 at the earliest.
However, Leaving Cert students will attend lessons for three days per week starting from Monday. Schools for children with special needs will also remain open and creches will remain open for children of essential workers. Secondary school students who are not undertaking the Leaving Cert this year will move to online learning.
Construction (with exemptions to be published on Gov.ie) must cease on Friday, January 8 until the end of the month. Shops will move from 'click and collect' services to 'click and delivery' services only.
At a press briefing this afternoon, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the the decision to extend the closure of schools beyond January 11 is to reduce the "mobility of people." He also called on people to "quite simply stay at home."
An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that the restrictions brought in on December 24 and 30 have not yet taken effect but ensured the public that "they will." With the new restrictions in place, Varadkar acknowledged that businesses will close, "some for the last time." He added that he is engaging with banks to ensure payment breaks for mortgages.
Following news earlier today that the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine
has been approved for use in the European Union, Varadkar said that he expects 60,000 vaccines to be administered per week by the end of February, rising further when the Oxford and AstraZeneca vaccines get approved.
More to follow...
