The Tánaiste said it would be "reckless" to rule out the possibility of introducing new restrictions.

The sharp rise in Covid-19 throughout Ireland is expected to continue, with around 4,000 new cases of the virus anticipated to be announced this weekend. In conversation on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme on Friday (5 November), Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that approximately 4,000 new cases will be confirmed "today or tomorrow". Pressed on whether or not the Government will look to introduce new restrictions in light of both the rising case count and the impending busy Christmas period, Varadkar referred to an increasingly "fragile" situation.

“I can’t rule them out and it would be reckless to do so but I can say it’s not our intention," he said.

Varadkar pointed to the development of Molnupiravir, the first pill to treat Covid-19 currently being trialled in the UK, as a potential new weapon in the ongoing battle against the virus. His general stance echoes those of Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and members of the National Public Health and Emergency Team, all of whom have recently stated that there is no plan to issue fresh restrictions. However, the "significant and unrelenting pressure" on the Irish healthcare system continues to dominate the agenda, with HSE chief Paul Reid calling on the public to urgently play its part. 'The actions of the health service alone won't get us out of this current situation," Reid said on Thursday following confirmation of 3,024 new cases of Covid-19 throughout the country. "If cases continue to rise, there comes a time when no additional testing, tracing, vaccination, hospital beds or ICU will help to turn the tide. "A range of actions are needed by all of us to help turn this tide and to turn it soon." To help combat rising Covid figures in hospital, Reid called on members of the public that are unvaccinated against Covid-19 to receive their vaccine. Featured Image via Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie