Ireland is considering six-week Level 5 lockdown stopping anyone from travelling more than 3 miles from their home and ordering all pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops to close
- Level 5 measures, the strictest, were recommended by health officials last week
- All but essential businesses are closed and citizens’ travel it limited to local area
- Public gatherings, except for small numbers at funerals and weddings banned
- Cabinet ministers are being asked to sign off on the measures today, report says
The Irish government is considering a nationwide six week ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown which will stop anyone from travelling more than 3 miles from their home.
A memo before the cabinet this afternoon is recommending that ministers sign off on Level 5 measures to be put in place from Wednesday until December 1.
Level 5 is the most stringent under the Irish system, and asks citizens to ‘stay at home, except to exercise within 5 kilometres of your home. There will be no gatherings other than small numbers at funerals and weddings.’
Public gatherings, except for small numbers at funerals and weddings, are banned and only essential shops are allowed to stay open.
Fine Gael and coalition co-leader Leo Varadkar
The three coalition party leaders and their top ministers met in Dublin today to discuss implementation, according to the Irish Independent.
Ireland has recorded a total of 49,962 cases, with another 1,283 infections added to that tally in the last 24 hours.
However, fatalities remain low with just three deaths recorded on Sunday, adding to a total of 1,852.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) and Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan last week urged the government to bring in the Level 5 restrictions for a six week period.
Counties Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan are currently at Level 4, while the rest of the country is at Level 3.
On Sunday, it was reported that a new lockdown would last for four weeks, but it has since emerged that ministers are being asked to back six weeks.
The restrictions will be reviewed after four weeks and if there has been a change, measures could be eased on a local basis.
A cyclist passes a mural in Dublin City centre as the Irish Government is expected to sign off on plans to introduce further country-wide restrictions over the rising number of coronavirus cases
Gaelic games, horse and greyhound racing are still permitted behind closed doors under the rules.
‘Non-contact’ sports training for school age children and young people can continue outdoors but only in pods of 15.
Funerals will be limited to ten people.