Ireland to move to full level 5 lockdown: Retail and gyms to shut, people to remain 5km from their home
The Government is set to announce further restrictions this afternoon as the country moves to a full level 5 lockdown ahead of the New Year.
It comes after a record 1,546 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed yesterday, bringing the total number of cases in the Republic so far to 88,439. There were also a further nine fatalities, bringing the overall death toll to 2,213.
The Government is likely to close all non-essential shops and services, reintroduce 5km restrictions, and extend the UK travel ban in a bid to stem the further spread of the virus. Gyms and leisure centres are also expected to be shut.
Meanwhile, the primary school teachers’ union, the INTO, has called for schools to remain shut until Monday, January 11, at the earliest due to the “alarming increase” in Covid cases.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin is expected to make a formal announcement on the new restrictions today.
Speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland programme, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath said an announcement will be made as soon as the Cabinet meeting concludes this afternoon.
“We are in tumultuous times and we have to respond to the situation as we see it,” he said.
