A further 269 new cases of coronavirus have been reported tonight.

There have been six additional deaths from the disease in the past 24 hours, with 36 people currently receiving treatment in intensive care units around the country.

Of the latest cases, 88 are in Dublin, 42 are in Cork and 25 are in Limerick, with 20 in Louth and 16 in Donegal. 123 are men and 146 are women with 64% aged under 45 years old.

It’ll be “haircuts and shopping before nights out”

Earlier today, An Tánaiste Leo Varadakar confirmed that retail outlets, gyms and hairdressers will be among the first to reopen when the Level 5 restrictions are lifted on December 1st.

Mr Varadkar said it is “the government’s objective to have family dinner on Christmas Day as normal as possible” but said it was still too early to make a call on the arrangements for December 25th.

“We want people to be able to meet their families and meet their friends over the Christmas period.” said the Tánaiste.

“We know people are going to do it anyway. So it’s better that we can provide for it in a safe way.”

The final decision on the new measures, expected to be a variation on Level 3′ will be announced by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Friday.