An Taoiseach Micheal Martin has warned that an increase in people socialising has now come with the cost of increased risk of Covid infections.
His warning comes as the Government announced a number of ‘kick-back’ measures to curb the rise of the virus.
From Friday, people are also advised to work from home where possible.
Pubs and restaurants will also have to close from midnight each night beginning tomorrow night.
The Taoiseach also confirmed that Covid-19 passes will be required for cinemas and theatres.
“The increased socialisation that we now enjoy comes with a cost, and that cost is an increased risk of infection.
“We need to act now to deal with this surge.”
Mr Martin described the latest surge in cases as a “dramatic reminder of what this virus can do and the threat it continues to represent”.
“Protecting public health is our first responsibility,” Mr Martin said.
“The range of measures that we have agreed represents, I believe, an appropriate response to the situation we find ourselves in.”
As part of the new measures announced, regardless of vaccination status, all household close contacts of a confirmed case should now restrict movement for five days, pending completion of a recommended antigen test.
