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Covid-19 incidence rates in some parts of Dublin are now up to three times the national average.
Nationally, there have been 53 cases per 100,000 people during the last two weeks.
In Dublin, however, that figure rises to 122 in south-east Dublin, which includes the Ranelagh, Donnybrook, Dundrum and Sandyford areas.
The incidence rate is even higher in North West Dublin at 152. North West Dublin includes the suburbs of Blanchardstown, Castleknock and Finglas.
Speaking to Newstalk this afternoon, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar says that localized restrictions within Dublin are something the government has examined, but would be difficult to implement.
He said, “It’s possible. In fact, we looked at it in the Kildare case, but when we look at the numbers, there really are cases across the county.
“Looking at Dublin now, it’s high in most of the county.
“There is only one area where it is relatively low, where it is close to the national average, the area that runs from Blackrock along the coast to Shankhill and Loughlinstown and Bray, so it would really be the only area that I could consider excluding.” added.
Earlier, Finance Minister Pashcal Donohoe also suggested that Dublin could move to level three of the government’s ‘Living with Covid’ plan by the end of this week.
If Dublin moved to level three, a number of new restrictions would be introduced there.
He said: “The concerns that are guiding us regarding Dublin are about how, it’s not just about the increase in disease, it’s about how the disease is spreading from one household to another.
“And that’s a really serious development for us.
“And that is why we ask in Dublin that meetings of no more than six, and up to a maximum of two households be held in them. I think going to level three is a possibility and a real possibility.
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