The Government has agreed to place the entire country under Level 3 restrictions.
For the first time since the pandemic began, Ministers have gone against the recommendation of the National Public Health Emergency Team, which wanted to move Ireland back to a full Level 5 lockdown.
It is understood the new restrictions will come into effect from midnight on Tuesday.
Under Level 3 of the Living with Covid plan, they will introduce “a range of restrictions up to and including no indoor dining.”
As we reported earlier, all bars and restaurants that can’t serve outside are set to be shut.
A senior Government source has told the Irish Mirror how restrictive this will be, and it will see all indoor services shuttered.
“Under level 3 restaurants, cafes and bars will close to indoor service but can remain open for takeaway, delivery and outdoor seating to a maximum of 15 people.”
He added: “Dublin is slightly different as the wet pubs never opened.”
Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins, said that this move would decimate the hospitality industry.
He said: “This will be absolutely catastrophic for the industry.
“180,000 will lose their jobs.”
And it is likely that the new rules will come into play from midnight tonight.
