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20th Dec 2020

Tony Holohan insists people should stay away from restaurants and pubs

Rudi Kinsella

NPHET meeting

“Stay home. Don’t meet up.”

Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan has urged people not to go to pubs and restaurants as Covid cases rise all across the country.

In a Tweet posted on Sunday morning, Holohan said: “Cases rising quickly. We have low cases and deaths compared to EU/UK/US.

“This is at risk now- just as vaccines arrive. To protect yourself and those you love: Stay home. Don’t meet up. Stay away from restaurants and pubs. Avoid crowds. Use masks. Follow health advice.”

This comes after 527 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on Saturday evening, as well as five further deaths.

On Saturday, Holohan said: “The figures we are seeing across all key indicators of disease severity continue to give us strong reason for persistent, ongoing concern.

“As we head into a week with uniquely risky inter-household and inter-generational mixing, please remember to act responsibly. Start this weekend. It is never too late to cut down your contacts, cancel plans, or avoid a crowd.

“Bear in mind that you may well be the link in a chain of transmission that ends with a vulnerable loved one catching this dangerous disease. Stop that chain of transmission now – limit your movements today.”

Micheál Martin said during the week that Cabinet is expected to meet on Tuesday to discuss lockdown restrictions potentially being introduced before the new year.

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