The Big 6 - Wednesday 6th January

Every evening at 6 O Clock WLR brings you the 6 biggest stories of the day

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced that all schools must remain closed with teaching to move online. The only exemptions will be for children with special needs and Leaving Certificate students who will return for three days a week.

All construction sites, apart from those deemed to be critical infrastructure such as schools and some social housing projects, will close from 6pm on Friday until January 31st. Read details of the limited exceptions here.

The Fine Gael TD, who announced her pregnancy in December, assured pregnant women that they are not at a higher risk if they contract the virus.

Two separate weather warnings for snow and low temperatures have been issued for the entire country. The first status yellow warning for all counties in the Republic will begin at 8pm this evening, warning of low temperatures and ice across the county.

The private nursing home close to University Hosptial Waterford is among 25 of the 580 residential facilities nationwide to receive the inoculation, as part of a soft roll-out. Maypark has 22 residents and 30 staff and has managed to stay Covid-free throughout the pandemic.

The 6th of January has many meanings for many people, The Epiphany, Little Christmas, or Nollaig na mBan. Read about the origins of the tradition here. Waterford blogger Tides & Tales also remembers an event that happened in the county on this day in 1839.