Further restrictions could be on the way after Christmas.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has indicated that further restrictions to combat the spread of Covid-19 could be introduced in Ireland in January should the number of cases rise between now and then.
Speaking on Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio One on Monday, Martin said the situation was being monitored from week to week and that case numbers will dictate whether or not there is a need to introduce further restrictions after Christmas.
“You could very well be looking at some further restrictions in January,” Martin said.
“But as I’ve made the point, Level 5 that we brought in throughout November was very different to the first lockdown. So, for example, schools stayed open, construction stayed open…”
Pointing out the contrast between the lockdown in November and measures introduced to combat the spread of the virus in March, Martin added: “We will look again at the data, we will look again at where we are in January before we make decisions in relation to that and we’ll be fully informed in terms of the impact around hospitalisation, ICU occupancy.”
On Sunday, Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan spoke of his concern at the rise in the number of cases of Covid-19 in recent days, with 429 cases reported on Sunday alone.
Martin repeated Holohan’s pleas for members of the public to reduce their social contacts and to act responsibly if they want to see their loved ones over Christmas.
“The most effective… response to this is our own personal behaviour and particularly over the Christmas period,” Martin added.
“And if people will want to see their loved ones, their parents and their grandparents, it’s very important that, the next week, that we just reduce the number of social contacts that we have and just really mind ourselves.
“Because if we mind ourselves, we will mind those closest and dearest to us.”
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