Latest Ireland closure: what time will Micheal Martin address the public and what new restrictions are expected to be introduced

Taoiseach Micheal Martin will speak to the public this afternoon as the Government introduces a series of new restrictions.

Today there will be an emergency Cabinet meeting, where the ministers will discuss the latest advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team.

Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan has written to the Government, outlining the group’s reasons for recommending that the nation be moved to a full-scale level five lockdown.

Such a measure, which is expected to be agreed by the Cabinet, would cause non-essential retail stores, gyms, leisure centers, golf courses and tennis clubs to be closed.

Here’s everything we know so far:

What time will Micheal Martin speak?

Wednesday’s emergency cabinet meeting will begin at 2.30pm, where ministers will discuss what measures will be introduced.

The Taoiseach will address the nation after this meeting concludes, however we do not know how long it will last.

You can follow our blog live for updates closer to the hour.

What will remain open and what will close?

On positive news, schools are expected to reopen as planned in early January.

Despite being allowed by Micheal Martin to stay open when more restrictions were introduced on December 22, nonessential shops, gyms and entertainment centers are expected to close again.

Outdoor sports like golf and tennis could also disappear, in a complete U-turn from just eight days ago.

Why another confinement?

Ireland recorded a worrying 1,546 new cases on Tuesday, and experts fear that number could skyrocket again in the coming days due to a delay in the Christmas period.

But it’s the number of hospitals that is the main concern for NPHET after the number of patients in hospitals across the country nearly doubled to 411 in recent days.