The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced the following restrictions this evening:
Nightclubs
Nightclubs will close from December 7th to January 9th.
Restaurants, bars and hotels
Strict social distancing will be required in all bars and restaurants, including hotels.
There will be table service only, with at least 1 metre between tables.
A maximum of six adults will be allowed per table and no multiple table bookings will be permitted. Masks must be worn when not at the table.
Closing time remains at 12am.
Events
There will be a maximum of 50 per cent capacity at entertainment, cultural, community and sporting events, which must all be fully seated.
Face masks must be worn at all times unless eating or drinking.
Covid passes
The requirement to show a valid Digital Covid Certificate will be extended to gyms, leisure centres and hotel bars and restaurants.
Home visits
The National Public Health Emergency Team have advised that visits to private homes over coming weeks should be kept to a maximum of three other households at any one time (four households in total).
The Taoiseach said the Chief Medical Officer and public health experts "have been exceptionally clear" and the risks associated with proceeding into the Christmas period "without some restrictions" to reduce personal contacts "is just too high".
Micheal Martin saidhe understood the frustration the reintroduction of restrictions has caused for people. However, he said now there is potentially a more dangerous variant of the virus, and that "the protection of public health is the Government's primary responsibility and we will do whatever is needed to discharge that duty".
