Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said that there will be no return to normal life 'as we know it' until a vaccine is found.
The Taoiseach made the stark warning tonight as new coronavirus restrictions were announced for Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal following a surge in cases in the region.
Speaking during the announcement Mr Martin said: “Until we get a vaccine, normal life will not resume as we knew it.”
From tomorrow the three counties will be placed on Level 4 lockdown restrictions while a ban on household visits nationwide was also announced.
The new rules will stay in place until Tuesday, November 10.
This means thousands will be laid off in those three counties as all non-essential retail services have to shut and everyone except frontline staff should work from home.
But schools will stay open and there will still only be one week for mid-term break.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the “number of infections are just too high” and “immediate attention” is needed and there are “major concerns about the nationwide situation also.”
Exemptions will be made to allow visits for compassionate grounds and essential reasons like childcare.
The ban on household visitors will also include a ban on garden visits.
Mr Martin said: “Things may get worse until they get better.
“We will make it through if we continue to adhere to rules and we will work together.”
Weddings planned for 16, 17, 18 October may go ahead as originally planned up to a limit of 25 guests.
But from Monday October 19, weddings may proceed but with a limit of 6 guests for ceremony and reception.
Guests cannot leave their county to attend a wedding.
The existing exemption which allows for Club Championship games to be played behind closed doors has also been removed.
Speaking on the new restrictions Mr Martin added: “Things may get worse until they get better.
“We will make it through if we continue to adhere to rules and we will work together.”
