The entire country entered Level 3 at midnight.

The controversial move was agreed following a ‘concerning deterioration’ in the coronavirus situation nationally since last Thursday, escalating every county to the next level on the Government’s ‘Living with Covid-19’ risk rating.

A further 432 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the past 24 hours, as infection rates soar around the country.

A total of 41 patients were diagnosed in Cork, with 111 cases recorded in Dublin. 24 of the confirmed cases nationwide are currently in ICU, while 150 remain in hospital as they fight the virus.

What does Level 3 look like for Cork?

The priority for the coming three weeks is to keep schools and early learning and childcare services open and minimise disruption in the workforce. This means that a number of services will be moved online and some businesses will be closed (for example museums and other indoor cultural venues). Additional restrictions will apply to restaurants and pubs.

An Garda Síochána has re-commenced Operation Fanacht as a nationwide policing operation focused on supporting public compliance with public health measures.

From midnight 7th October An Garda Síochána will be recommencing operations nationwide in respect to policing of Covid-19 at level 3 of the government plan. #Covid19 #HoldFirm pic.twitter.com/QgjIsVMmSP

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) October 6, 2020

Gardaí are planning 132 checkpoints a day to encourage people not to travel out of their county unless for essential reasons.

Here are the main points of Level 3:

• Commuting: Work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend in person.
• Travel: Stay in your county “apart from work, education and other essential purposes, if appropriate.”
• Visitors should be limited to one other household to a maximum of six people only.
• No social or family gatherings should take place in other settings.
• Retail and hairdressers/barbers: Open with protective measures in place.
• Weddings: Up to 25 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception.
• Bars, cafes and restaurants (including hotel restaurants and bars): Indoor dining banned. 15 customers permitted in outdoor areas.
• Wet pubs: Indoor service banned. Outdoor drinking permitted for a maximum of 15 people.
• Hotels: Open but services limited to residents.
• No organised indoor gatherings should take place. People can gather in groups of up to 15 outdoors.
• Fitness: Gyms/leisure centres/swimming pools can remain open with protective measures.
• Training outdoors: Non-contact training can take place but only in pods of up to 15.
• Training indoors: Individual training only. No exercise or dance classes can take place.
• Sports: No matches or events to take place.
• All museums, galleries and other cultural attractions to remain closed.
• Funerals: Up to 25 mourners can attend a funeral.