Dublin will be subject to special restrictions due to a spike in the Covid-19 cases there, the Government confirmed today.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin made the announcement at a briefing this morning.
Every county in Ireland, including Dublin, will be placed at Level Two in the new 'Living with Covid' roadmap.
However the capital will face unique restrictions recommended by experts in the National Public Health Emergency Team.
The following measures were agreed by Cabinet today given the high level of coronavirus incidence in the capital:
- No more than two households should meet at any given time, and people should have a maximum of six visitors from one other household to their home. Socialising can continue at indoor or outdoor public venues, but only with people from their own household or one other household, and in groups of no more than six;
- Pubs and bars not serving food should remain closed beyond September 21st;
- Higher and third level institutions should consider enhanced protective measures;
- Those living in Dublin should be encouraged to limit travel outside the region, and only meet one other household when outside the county.
And Tanaiste Leo Varadkar made a special appeal to the people of Dublin, saying they must follow the “Four Ws” to limit the spread of Covid-19.
- Don’t Welcome more than one other household into your home
- Wash your hands
Watch your distance - maintain 2m distance at all times
Wear a face mask or face covering
Further restrictions will be assessed based on a number of factors, including the amount of confirmed coronavirus cases per 100,000 population over the last 14 days.
By this key measure, the capital is by far the hardest hit area in the country.
The latest statistics from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre show Dublin has an incidence of 95.1.
The next highest county is Louth, on 66.7, followed by Leitrim on 65.5.
Limerick, on 63.1, and Kildare, on 61.6, are also areas with some cause for concern.
