"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.
