The Taoiseach has said that the worst of the pandemic “could very well be” ahead of us.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Brendan O’Connor Show, Micheál Martin said that the latest Covid-19 restrictions will be kept under constant review as the Omicron variant spreads across the country.
Mr Martin said “it is never wishful thinking” to hope that things may turn out better than expected.
“There is not an inevitability,” he added.
When asked if he thinks that the worst of the pandemic is still in front of us, he said: “It could very well be. Certainly, it’s that severity question that is unknown and the data simply isn’t there.”
Last night, Mr Martin announced that bars, restaurants and other indoor venues must close at 8pm, starting on Monday, until the end of January.
Cabinet rejected a recommendation from NPHET to close pubs and restaurants at 5pm.
Capacity limits for indoor and outdoor venues also were announced, as were changes about the restriction of movements for people who are close contacts of confirmed Covid cases.
Mr Martin said that he was not fully surprised by a recommendation to close hospitality by 5pm. However, he said he felt that it was too early.
