The Taoiseach has announced new restrictions that will take place across Ireland from as early as Christmas Eve. Micheál Martin said that pubs, restaurants and hairdressers would be forced to shut as the nation sought to combat the virus "aggressively and head on".
All pubs will close their doors on Christmas Eve at 3pm, with no date set for when they might reopen. On top of the new restrictions on the hospitality sector, there will also be a ban on household mixing that comes into force on New Year's Day 2021 and a return to full Level 5 restrictions pencilled in for January 12th. Other measures are also to be expected before that date.
"A lot of people will be receiving today's news with a heavy heart," said the Taoiseach. "I know that I bring it to you with one. Each and every one of us need to remember that, while it may not seem like it, what we have done to date, and what we are now doing now is saving lives. Because of the sacrifices that so many are making, because of the restrictions we are accepting in our lives, many many people are alive today who would otherwise not be."
Travelling between counties will be banned as of Boxing Day, outwith people returning to their own county, and religious services will also go back online after Christmas Day. Mixing with one other household will be allowed between Christmas and New Year before ending on January 1st.
Non-essential retail and gyms will stay open - against the advice of Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan - before closing when the Level 5 restrictions kick in again. Shops will not be running their usual post-Christmas sales in an attempt to keep numbers down.
Micheál Martin stressed in his address that Ireland had been one of the best countries in Europe at dealing with the ongoing pandemic and that "we want to keep it that way" by continuing social distancing, mask wearing and other preventative measures as we enter what is now a third wave.
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