People should expect more Covid-19 restrictions ‘before New Year’s Eve’

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TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said that the government will not change the Covid-19 restriction regime for Christmas, but that people should expect new restrictions “before the new year.”

Martin’s comments come amid soaring Covd-19 rates and the announcement of a new lockdown in Northern Ireland from St. Stephen’s Day.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One News tonight, Martin said that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has recommended new restrictions and that the government will make a final decision on this on Tuesday.

However, he said people can expect more restrictions “towards the end of the year.”

I think before New Years Eve is how I would put it. Obviously, the government would have to decide the timing and specific nature of the restrictions, I am not going to pre-empt a government decision, but we are well aware of what NPHET will tell us about it. And like I said, we want to protect the hospital system.

Under plans for Christmas that were previously agreed upon by the government, inter-county travel and household mixing of up to three households are allowed from tomorrow through January 6.

Martin said tonight that NPHET has essentially recommended that this period be shortened after Christmas.

“I spoke with the CMO today, and NPHET will recommend to the government that we impose restrictions before the end of the year. In other words, tomorrow’s deadline will be shortened to January 6, ”said the Taoiseach.

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“And also that NPHET will recommend restrictions on hospitality before the end of the year. They are so worried about the increase in numbers. And also, restrict home visits to one before the end of the year, so that one family can visit another ”.

The prospect of further restrictions after Christmas was previously raised by the Taoiseach several weeks ago in case coronavirus cases spike.

NPHET confirmed tonight 484 new cases of Covid-19 in this country and three more deaths.



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