Most construction sites are set to close until at least the end of January as Ireland battles the third wave of COVID-19 sweeping through the country.
The Cabinet sub-committee on COVID-19 met today and decided on a range of drastic new measures aimed at curbing the spread of the disease.
It has been decided that only essential construction projects and refurbishments will be allowed to remain open with all other sites shutting down.
The new measures mean that around 50,000 construction workers across the country will down tools until the end of the month.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said earlier today that the coronavirus situation is now "very, very serious" and the rapid spread of the disease has "exceeded and expectation".
He said the new measures are aimed at reducing mobility as much as possible and ensure people stay at home and follow Government guidelines to help suppress the virus.
He added that the decisions taken by Cabinet "will not be a reflection" on how any sector has responded to the pandemic.
"That is the way we protect our hospitals," he told RTE's News At One.
"That is the way we protect the most vulnerable in our society.
"This isn't about one sector performing. It's about an overall societal response to a very rapid spread.
"It is a collective societal response that is the principle that will govern decisions today. It's not a reflection on any individual sector."
As well as the closure of non-essential, all schools will be closed until the end of January while retailers will no longer be allowed to offer click and collect services and can only provide delivery services.
But the current 5km travel radius will not be reduced.
"We believe that the 5km is quite a restrictive measure on people, and we're very conscious of psychological health, mental health – the wellbeing of people," said Mr Martin.
We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit dublinlive.ie/news.
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @DublinLive - the official Dublin Live Twitter account - real news in real time.
We're also on Facebook/dublinlive - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the capital.
