"A lot of people will be receiving today's news with a heavy heart."

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has addressed the nation following news of the country's new restrictions.  After Christmas, Ireland will return to Level 5 restrictions with some amendments. Hairdressers, restaurants, and pubs serving food will close on December 24 at 3pm, while non-essential retail will remain open over the festive period. The government will ask stores to defer sales in a bid to reduce footfall in shops. Schools and childcare facilities will remain open and hotels will restrict stays to essential purposes only. Gyms will remain open for one on one training only. Extra financial supports will be provided for businesses affected by the closures, Martin confirmed. These new restrictions comes following an increase in Covid-19 cases in Ireland and a ban on travel from the UK due to a new strain of the virus. Martin said the new strain is "a source of serious concern and not sustainable." He added: "The safest and most responsible thing to do is to proceed on the assumption that it is already here." "We will do whatever it takes to get through this pandemic safely," he said. "The government has agreed this morning to move quickly and meet this threat head on. "A lot of people will be receiving today's news with a heavy heart, and I bring it to you with one. Each and every one of us needs to remember that while it may not feel like it, what we're doing now is saving lives [...] Many, many people are alive today who would otherwise not be." Martin added that Ireland has managed to sustain one of the lowest Covid mortality rates in Europe, "and we want to keep it that way." "This year the way for us to show we love and respect each other is to pay attention to the restrictions," he said. "We've lost many friends and neighbours to this disease. We remember all of them, and together we look forward to brighter days. "There is light at the end of this tunnel, vaccines are on the way." The rollout of Ireland's first Covid vaccine's will commence next week for the most vulnerable, but Martin said the roll out will "take time." Amended Level 5 restrictions will begin staggering on Christmas Eve.