Restaurants and Gastropubs across the North West will be told to close on Christmas Eve under plans going to cabinet this morning.
The ban on flights from the UK is also being extended until the end of the year.
Senior health officials have warned Ministers Level 5 restrictions will also be needed after Christmas, as the country’s “clearly” in a third wave of the virus.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan says whatever the government decides later, people need to stay at home:
An announcement on the measures will be made after today’s Cabinet meeting.
Yesterday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said the government may decide to re-introduce the inter-county travel ban earlier than 6 January.
The inter-county travel restriction was only lifted at the weekend, along with the ban on household visits, to allow families to come together over the Christmas period.
It is understood that inter-county travel could be stopped from 26 December, subject to further discussions.
Household visit restrictions will be also discussed in further detail during today’s meeting.
