Further restrictions are likely in the capital.

That was the message from Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe this morning, as he urged anyone planning a visit to Dublin to urgently reconsider.

A further 357 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Ireland yesterday and three people lost their lives to the disease. 218 of the new cases were recorded in Dublin.

Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, The Minister for Finance said anyone living in Dublin should not travel outside of the county, even for an important family event.

Minister Donohoe said he would “very regrettably” advise that weddings guests from Dublin should not attend events around the country.

“I absolutely understand how important and life-changing a good wedding day is. I absolutely appreciate that,” he said.

“But a wedding ceremony is meant to be about sharing hope for a better future. Getting family together to celebrate a wonderful day. And I’d ask all to consider how we could feel about a wedding if we then found out in a number of days or weeks time that the wedding turned into a place in which a disease was spread.”

Anyone planning on visiting Dublin for a staycation is also advised to cancel their plans. Minister Donohoe said he hoped hotels and restaurants would deal with customers cancellations in an understanding manner.