Ireland will be plunged back into a national lockdown for six weeks from Wednesday, its Cabinet today decided.
The Irish Government agreed to place the country under Level 5 restrictions from midnight on Wednesday until December 1 in a bid to combat the rise in cases of coronavirus.
Level 5 is the most stringent under the Irish system and asks citizens to ‘stay at home, except to exercise within 5 kilometres of your home.’
Public gatherings, except for small numbers at funerals and weddings, are banned and only essential shops are allowed to stay open.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin this evening.
Ireland has recorded a total of 49,962 cases, with another 1,283 infections added to that tally in the last 24 hours.
However, fatalities remain low with just three deaths recorded on Sunday, adding to a total of 1,852.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) and Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan last week urged the government to bring in the Level 5 restrictions for a six week period.
Fine Gael and coalition co-leader Leo Varadkar
Ireland has recorded a total of 49,962 cases, with another 1,283 infections added to that tally in the last 24 hours
Fatalities remain low with just three deaths recorded on Sunday, adding to a total of 1,852
Counties Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan are currently at Level 4, while the rest of the country is at Level 3
Counties Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan are at Level 4, while the rest of the country is at Level 3.
On Sunday, it was reported that a new lockdown would last for four weeks, but it has since emerged that ministers are being asked to back six weeks.
Gaelic games, horse and greyhound racing are still permitted behind closed doors, under the Level 5 rules.
Non-contact sports training for children and young people can continue outdoors but only in pods of 15. Funerals will be limited to 10 people.
It comes as the Welsh First Minister imposed a two-week ‘firebreak’ lockdown which will see bars, restaurants and all non-essential shops close from 6pm on Friday.
Mark Drakeford today said that everyone in Wales will be ordered to ‘stay at home’ unless they are critical workers or are unable to work from home.
The Labour chief warned failure to act now would mean ‘more people will die’ as he said households will be banned from mixing indoors and outdoors while exercise outside will be allowed but it must ‘begin and end at home’.
Primary schools will reopen after half-term next week but secondaries will only reopen years seven and eight, and for pupils doing exams.
The decision to impose a ‘short and deep’ lockdown until November 9, which echoes national demands made by Sir Keir Starmer and wipes out Halloween and Bonfire Night, has sparked a furious political backlash after statistics suggested Wales has a lower coronavirus infection rate than England.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock today revealed that millions more people in the North of England face being plunged into Tier 3 lockdown this week.
Mr Hancock said talks would take place with local leaders in South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, the North East and Teesside after deals were agreed for Liverpool and Lancashire.
But it came amid a continued stand-off with Greater Manchester. Ministers have sent an ultimatum to the area’s Labour mayor, Andy Burnham, and mutinous MPs that they must do a deal on today – or face being forced into the tougher curbs as early as tomorrow.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick warned that talks had gone on ‘too long’ and urged the region to accept a package of funding worth up to £100million.
Downing Street attempted to pile pressure on the Mancunian rebels today by warning that the region’s hospitals are on track to be overwhelmed by October 28 unless the coronavirus outbreak is brought under control.