Dublin is to be moved to level three restrictions from midnight.
Cabinet Ministers have decided to fully adopt the advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team to move Dublin to level three with some additions.
One Minister described the mood in the room as worried as they left the meeting in the last hour.
The news comes after 3 deaths and 253 new cases of Covid-19 cases were confirmed in the Republic today, 116 of which were in Dublin.
For three weeks, these restrictions will be in place for people in Dublin:
- People should only leave the county for work, education or other essential reasons
- Work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend
- Colleges to go online only as far as possible
- No indoor gatherings
- Outdoor dining only at restaurants
- Pubs will remain closed
- Limited competitive sports, no fans permitted
- Religious services online-only (except 25 at weddings and funerals; Communions are off)
- Gyms to be open for individuals, with no classes
While the cabinet meeting heard a lot of sympathy for businesses who may now have to close, it's reported that there was little robust opposition to the measures.
The restrictions are being viewed as necessary to stop the increasing number of cases being seen in Dublin.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to give a statement on the new restrictions at 6pm.
