[ad_1]
The Cabinet will meet this afternoon to discuss new restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including a ban on home visits, the closure of non-essential retail stores and a 5-kilometer limit on travel.
No changes are expected to the planned reopening of the schools, despite calls for an extension of the Christmas break.
This is the second cabinet meeting in three days and was convened amid growing concern over the number of cases and an increase in hospitalizations. Yesterday, the Department of Health was notified of nine more deaths related to the coronavirus and just over 1,500 new cases of the disease.
Other restrictions that would go into effect if a full Level 5 were imposed include the closure of sports such as golf and tennis, with the exception of professional or elite sports such as Gaelic games and closed-door horse racing.
Sources have indicated that an extension of the school holidays will not be on the table.
This is despite an intervention by INTO that is asking that schools remain closed until January 11 at the earliest.
Its general secretary, John Boyle, wrote to Education Minister Norm Foley last night saying that nearly 700 elementary school-age children tested positive for the virus in the fortnight before schools closed for Christmas.
Ministers are also expected to discuss the possibility of extending the travel ban from Britain to Ireland beyond December 31.
[ad_2]