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The Cabinet will today consider a series of stricter public health restrictions, including stricter rules for travelers flying to Ireland and the closure of non-essential buildings.
Ministers will consider closing most schools in January, except for children with special needs.
Education Minister Norma Foley will review the measures for Leaving Cert students.
All preschools / ECCE will close and daycares will only be open to children of essential workers and vulnerable children.
The recommendations were agreed yesterday by the cabinet subcommittee on Covid.
The government’s message is that the country is reverting to the kind of severe restrictions that were seen during the first wave of the virus.
On the journey, it is proposed that arrivals to Ireland must have a negative Covid test within the previous 72 hours.
This will initially take effect from Saturday for travelers from Great Britain and South Africa.
But people will still have to isolate themselves for 14 days.
The government will also take steps to introduce requirements for other countries, but this will take longer, possibly another week.
Non-essential retailers will not be able to operate click and collect services. It will be replaced by shipping only.
Most of the construction will be closed, except for social housing and essential public works. A precise list of essential projects will be refined in the Cabinet.
These restrictions are expected to remain in effect until the end of the month, but some Cabinet members warn that they could realistically last longer.
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