Christmas 2020 as we had expected it to play out has been cancelled as Micheal Martin and Co have confirmed a 'Level 5 type of restrictions' with some exceptions from Christmas Eve until mid-January.
Speaking following a marathon Cabinet meeting, Mr Martin said he was announcing the news with a "heavy heart" but was doing so in order to save lives.
But the Government have confirmed that these restrictions will be reviewed by the cabinet and NPHET on January 12th.
The harsh new third lockdown include the closure of gastro pubs, restaurants and hairdressers from Christmas Eve, no inter-county travel from December 27 and a ban on household visits from January 1.
Here's a rundown of the new measures that have been confirmed:
- People will be allowed to travel to another county until the end of St Stephen's Day
- They will then be able to stay where they are until returning home
- A ban on inter-county travel will be in place from December 27
- Household visits will be reduced to one other household from December 27 and then none from January 1
- Restaurants and gastro pub must close from 3pm on Christmas Eve
- Hairdressers will also close on Christmas Eve
- Hotels to close apart from non-essential bookings from December 26
- Wedding guests reduced to 6 from January 2
- Religious services to move online from December 26
- The Government has asked shops not to hold large sales events
- Travel restrictions from Britain will remain in place until December 31
- Gyms and sporting activities such as golf and tennis will be allowed to continue
You can find a full list of every piece of Covid-19 news today here and you can follow the latest news from Government and NPHET in our Live Blog here.
