Republic announces strict new lockdown

SHUT DOWN Man walks past closed Dublin pub

THE Republic will be placed under one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe later this week in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The Irish government has agreed to impose the highest level of restrictions under its five-tiered plan for living with Covid-19 from midnight on Wednesday for six weeks.

Cabinet ministers made the decision at a meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin last night.

The restrictions will last until December 1.

Under the new measures schools and creches will remain open and elite level sports will be able to continue.

Construction will also be allowed.

But most non-essential retail, hairdressers, barbers and salons will have to close.

The public will be asked to work from home except for essential workers and pubs, restaurants and cafes will only be able to provide takeaways and deliveries.

A further 1,031 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team yesterday, bringing the total to more than

50,000 for the first time.

No new deaths linked to the virus were reported.

Of the new cases, 235 were in Dublin, 232 in Cork, 60 in Galway, 47 in

Limerick, 47 in Kerry and the remaining 410 infections were spread across 21 counties.

As of 2pm yesterday, 298 people with Covid-19 were in hospitals including 34 people in intensive care units.

Last Thursday, public health officials recommended moving to Level 5 of the Covid-19 restrictions framework for six weeks.

It was the second time in a fortnight that NPHET officials had advised the government to move to the highest level of measures. The government, led by Taoiseach Micheal Martin, inset, did not heed the previous advice.

Instead they placed the entire country into Level 3 restrictions. Currently border counties Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan are at Level 4, while the rest of the country is at Level 3.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou

Mcdonald said that social supports must be put in place.

She also called for the cuts to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme to be fully restored. Ms Mcdonald told RTE’S Morning Ireland that changes to the restrictions must be “balanced” and clearly communicated.

She warned that people were going to “really struggle” and would be “worried sick” by any new restrictions.