Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has warned that the Omicron variant of Covid-19 “will break all records” in a worrying update.
He was speaking as the Irish Government announced a raft of new restrictions that will be in place over Christmas.
It includes an 8pm curfew for pubs, restaurants, cinemas and gigs, as well as reduced capacity for indoor and outdoor events.
In an address to the nation on Friday night, the Taoiseach said he hoped the new measures would slow the spread of Omicron, which could pose a real threat to hospitals.
Speaking after the announcement, the Tanaiste said the pandemic could go on for “several years”.
Varadkar said he can’t “promise that next summer will be better or next Christmas will be better, but I can promise that we will do everything that we can to make sure it is.”
He added: “I think that when this pandemic started, we all hoped that it wouldn't go on for so long and a few of us, certainly I didn't think that it would go on for so long, but it has now gone on for two years, it could go on for several years, it is going to be a long war, and that’s why it does require us to consider how we are going to fight that long war.”
The Tanaiste said that Ireland has been attempting to open the country slowly due to a fear of going backwards, which may be something that needs to change as the pandemic continues.
He hinted that restrictions may be introduced faster in future and then lifted once cases decrease again.
He said: “I think one thing as well that might mean is accepting that we may have to go backwards on occasion, and one thing that we’ve very much done in two years is tried to open up very slowly for fear of having to go backwards.”
The Fine Gael leader also warned that Omicron “will break all records”
He said: “Based on what we can now see happening in London, Denmark, Norway, South Africa and elsewhere, the Omicron wave is going to come hard and fast.
“Cases will break all records — perhaps as soon as next week — and after that hospitalisations will start rising again.
“ICU and critical care will be under real pressure, GPs surgeries will be completely overwhelmed, or come close to it, and sadly there will be increased deaths.
“So there will be dark days in January again. But as was the case with all the other waves, this wave will pass and hopefully this one will pass quicker than the others.”
Ireland's new Covid-19 restrictions are:
Pubs, restaurants and all hospitality to close at 8pm from Sunday.
No indoor events after 8pm.
Attendance at indoor events earlier should be 50% or 1,000 people - whichever is lower.
Outdoor events attendance at 50% or 5,000 - whichever is lower.
Max of 100 guests at weddings, which can stay until midnight.
Change to close contact rules
