“I know the restrictions for Dublin will make some people angry…”
Dublin is to move to Level 3 from midnight tonight, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed.
These new restrictions, which will involve the closing of all indoor restaurants in the capital, will be in place for a three week period.
The government accepted the National Public Health Emergency Team’s (NPHET) recommendations to shut indoor restaurants earlier today.
This restriction adds to those currently in place in Dublin such as wet pubs staying shut and travel being restricted to within the county, unless absolutely necessary.
Wedding and funeral capacity will be reduced from 50 to 25, though this restriction will not commence until Monday. All indoor gatherings will be banned and only one household is permitted to visit another. Up to 15 people can attend an organised outdoor gathering.
Restaurants with outdoor seating will be permitted to operate using that space only for up to 15 people. People are encouraged to work from home where possible.
“We have to remember [the virus] is still deadly,” said Martin today. “I know how exhausted, how infuriating, how lonely it has been as we try to manage this.
“My first and most important obligation is to protect you. This virus kills. It kills more old people than young, but it kills young people too.
“I know the restrictions for Dublin will make some people angry, but we have received advice that these restrictions will save lives.”
Martin also announced a €30 million top up to the restart grant, available to all Dublin businesses.
An additional 253 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed today. Three further people have died.
