Ireland moves to full Level 5 restrictions for at least a month

The Government has announced that Ireland is to move to full Level 5 restrictions, which will remain in effect until at least the end of January.

The country had been placed under Level 5 restrictions, with adjustments, on Christmas Eve, with this due to be reviewed on 12 January. However, the rising number of Covid-19 being recorded on a daily basis has led to the decision to move to a full Level 5.

Hair, beauty and spa businesses, which closed on 24 December, will now remain shut until at least 31 January, along with other non-essential retail.

The restrictions also include a ban on all household visits, and a 5km limit on travel. Schools are to remain closed until 11 January, while weddings will have a six-guest limit.

The Government also agreed that the ban on air travel and passenger travel on ferries from the UK will be extended to 6 January. As a similar new strain of the virus has been identified in South Africa, this ban will also apply to South Africa until the same date.

Addressing the nation, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the current situation is “extremely serious”, adding that the case numbers are expected to continue to rise.

He said country was in a very different space now, was weary from the virus, and that the next month was going to be tough for everyone. But he noted that the arrival of the Covid-19 vaccine can give hope.

Following the announcement, the Hairdressing Council of Ireland said it will be re-doubling its efforts in its contacts to Government for supports for the hairdressing and barbering industry.