The Government has confirmed tougher Covid-19 restrictions for Ireland in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The new measures take effect from midnight on Sunday, December 12 and impact hospitality, weddings, events and more.
We’ve listed full details of the new rules which will be in place from Monday.
All restaurants, bars and cafes, excluding take-away or delivery services, will close at 8pm from Monday.
This will also apply to hotel restaurants and bars, except for overnight residents.
No indoor events, including entertainment, cultural, community and sporting events, will take place after 8pm, and events happening earlier in the day will be limited to 50% capacity or 1,000 attendees, whichever is the lower.
However, this does not affect religious, educational or normal workplace business activity and business events.
Attendance at outdoor events will be limited to 50% of venue capacity or 5,000 attendees, whichever is the lower.
Wedding receptions can take place with a capacity limit of 100 guests and continue after 8pm. A closing time of midnight will still apply.
For close contacts who have received a booster one week ago, they will have to restrict movement for five days and take three antigen tests.
For close contacts who have not received a booster, they will have to restrict their movement for 10 days.
All new measures are expected to be reviewed on January 11. The early closure times will last until January 30.
Announcing the restrictions in an address to the nation on Friday night, the Taoiseach said: “None of this is easy.”
“We are all exhausted with Covid and the restrictions it requires.
“The twists and turns, the disappointments and the frustrations take a heavy toll on everyone.
“But it is the reality that we are dealing with.
“We cannot wish it away, and there is no silver bullet to fix it,” he said.
