“This latest surge is different to the second wave of the disease.”

That was the message from An Taoiseach Micheál Martin this evening as he announced one month of full Level 5 coronavirus restrictions, effective from midnight tonight until January 31st, 2021.

With Covid-19 cases surging in all parts of the country, the National Public Health Emergency Team’s latest recommendations were discussed at an emergency meeting of the Cabinet this afternoon.

“We will rebuild the economy and repair the damage to our society… we will do all these things and we will start them this coming year.” the Taoiseach said.

“But 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.”

In a public address from Government Buildings this evening, the Taoiseach confirmed the following measures:

• Household visits: All household visits are banned from tonight until further notice, except for on compassionate grounds.
• Gatherings: No gatherings in any settings apart from six guests at weddings or ten mourners at funerals.
• Travel: A 5km travel limit is in place again and the advice is to stay at home except for brief daily exercise.
• Retail: All non-essential retail will be closed on Thursday, December 31st (New Year’s Eve) from close of business. An updated list of essential services is available here.
• Leisure: All gyms, leisure centres, golf courses and tennis courts are to close.
• Schools: Schools will remain closed until Monday, January 11th, 2021 so that contacts can be minimised before classes resume.
• Childcare: Creches and childcare facilities will remain open.
• Eviction moratorium: The eviction moratorium will be reintroduced at midnight tonight and will remain in place until February 10th, 2021.

‘We must take action immediately’

There have been 1,718 additional cases of Covid-19 confirmed in the last 24 hours, with 13 further deaths from the virus. Right now, 454 coronavirus patients are hospitalised, of which 37 are in ICU.

“We must take action immediately to prevent an almost unimaginable scenario, where case numbers in 7 to 10 days time are twice what they are today. Stay home.”#StayHomeSaveLives #COVID19 @President_MU

— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) December 30, 2020

“The reproduction number remains very high and is currently estimated at 1.6 – 1.8. The growth rate is estimated to be 7-10% per day with a doubling time of 7-10 days,” said Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group.

“We must take action immediately to prevent an almost unimaginable scenario, where case numbers in 7 to 10 days time are twice what they are today. Stay at home.”

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health warned that every individual “should consider themselves potentially infectious”.

“It is essential that we all limit our contacts to our own household now, restrict our movements and do not give COVID-19 any further opportunities to spread,” he added.

“Everyone needs to stay at home other than for essential work or care. This is not the time to be visiting other houses.”

Surge in demand for Covid-19 testing 

Meanwhile, the HSE is reporting a 41% rise in demand for testing and swabbing sites are struggling to cope with referrals. Speaking at a briefing today, HSE chief Paul Reid said the current situation is “very alarming and is high risk”.

“We need everybody to take immediate and urgent reactions,” he said.

“Withdraw from any plans, arrangements, activities we may have had and really do protect yourself”.

In an interview on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland this morning, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath said the last part of the journey “can be the most difficult and treacherous,”

“We have a difficult road ahead but we know where we’re going and we’re well on that road now,” he said.