Government leaders will today meet Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan today to discuss the recommendation from the National Public Health Emergency Team to place the country on Level 5 restrictions.
However, a decision to go to the highest level in the ‘Living with Covid-19 Plan’ is not due until tomorrow.
NEPHET’s recommendation will first be considered by the Covid-19 oversight group, which is made up of Ireland’s top civil servants.
Level 5 would see all but essential retail outlets closed, social gatherings would be restricted and people would only be allowed to exercise within 5km of their homes.
The recommendation to move to Level 5 follows what health officials called a significant escalation in the profile of the virus in Ireland over the last week.
Donegal still has the highest incidence rate of the virus in the entire country.
Another 31 cases of Covid were announced for the county yesterday amongst a further 364 cases nationwide.
However, despite recommendations of a lockdown, there are concerns over the mental health of people across the country.
In a tweet, Health Service Executive CEO Paul Reid said while there are concerns over the trends in the rise of Covid-19 cases the impact of severe restrictions on people’s mental health as well as the economy need to be considered.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said “leaks and speculation don’t help” and clarity was needed today.
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