Coalition party leaders will meet tonight.
Coalition party leaders will meet tonight to discuss bringing forward a tightening of COVID restrictions.
Cabinet meets tomorrow where an extension of the 48 hour travel ban from the Great Britain is expected to be confirmed.
The 48 hour window was about giving times to assess options and risk as the new strain of COVID spreads in the UK.
The other big decision is around bringing forward tighter restrictions in Ireland.
NPHET has recommended closing the hospitality sector, banning intercounty travel and limiting house guests from December 28th instead of the planned January 6th.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has admitted they are likely to change the dates.
''Given the rise in numbers, and given the concerning threat being expressed by the health authorities here and elsewhere, I expect that here will unfortunately be a change in the timelines and the level of restrictions which may be needed'', he said.
The plan from government had been to alter NPHET's advice, closing hospitality on the 30th of December but allowing intercounty travel to continue until the 6th.
In light of the news over the weekend about the new strain of COVID that idea will be reviewed and the timelines may change again when the party leaders meet tonight.
Meanwhile supply chains to Europe are being monitored given the sudden closure of the land bridge through the UK.
