A NEW range of Covid-19 restrictions will come into place later this week.
With over 900 new cases of the coronavirus expected to be confirmed this evening, the Cabinet has agreed to the new measures.
The restrictions have been called ‘Level 5 minus’, meaning that there are some exceptions to the Level 5 restrictions in the government’s Living With Covid plan.
Three households are allowed to meet in one home until St Stephen’s Day. The number will be reduced to two households until New Years Eve, after which household visits will be completely banned.
Travel restrictions from Britain will stay in place until New Years Eve.
Hotels will close to non-essential bookings after December 26 and inter-county travel will also be banned after St Stephen’s Day.
Restaurants and pubs that serve food will be asked to close at 3pm on Christmas Eve.
Hairdressers and barbers will also shut on the same day.
Retail and gyms will stay open into the New Year. However, the government is expected to engage with retail outlets and no major sales events are to take place after Christmas.
Religious services will end on Christmas Day and move to online delivery thereafter.
The number of guests allowed at weddings will be reduced to six people from January 2.
Golf and tennis clubs will be allowed to remain open while non-contact training in pods of 15 will be allowed to continue outdoors.
Schools will return as planned in January after their Christmas break.
The new measures will be reviewed again on January 12.
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