Taoiseach speaking now. "On Christmas Eve we received the news we had feared - confirmation that the new strain is indeed in our country… we are dealing with a strain of the disease that spreads much much more quickly" and quicker than any previous model
"The numbers will deteriorate further over the coming days… we will do what we need to do to suppress the virus when it is growing, and it is now growing expoentially"
Taoiseach: "We must return to full-scale Level 5 restrictions for a period of at least one month."
No visitors permitted to private homes from TONIGHT unless part of a support bubble, or for caring purposes
No visitors permitted to private homes from TONIGHT unless part of a support bubble, or for caring purposes
Weddings will be permitted to have up to 6 guests, and funerals for 10… leave home only for 5km exercise, essential work…
Non-essential retail ends from close of business tomorrow
Non-essential retail ends from close of business tomorrow
Taoiseach insists schools remain safe; purpose for delaying reopening until Monday 11th is so that "families will have had an opportunity to ensure that their contacts are minimised before children return to school"
On vaccine: "For the first time since this awful disease landed on our shores, we truly have an end in sight… by the end of January I'm confident that many tens of thousands of our most vulnerable citizens and healthcare workers will have been vaccinated"
"The actions that we are taking as a society, and as individuals, is saving lives. We will rebuild the economy… we will come to terms with this crisis"
Taoiseach: "Right now this is what we must do: We must stay at home and eliminate contact with others now, to make sure that as many of our people as possible are still with us to enjoy the better, brighter days that are up ahead."
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