More must be done to protect Ireland’s most vulnerable.

That was the message from An Taoiseach Micheál Martin this evening, as he announced a raft of tough new measures that will see the country return to lockdown levels similar to those introduced during the first wave in March 2020.

“People have been asked to give up so much for so long that we risk losing sight of why we are doing this,” said the Taoiseach, before asking the public to “dig deep” to flatten the curve and “battle a deadly and ever-changing virus” once again.

“The lockdown we are introducing today is designed to reflect that stark and simple reality,” he said.

“You simply must stay at home.”

The extra measures were signed off at a three-hour Cabinet meeting this afternoon, as a record number of patients continue to need hospital treatment for coronavirus and ICU beds near capacity nationwide.

Here are the main updates to the Level 5 restrictions announced today:

• SCHOOLS: Both primary and secondary schools will remain closed until February at the earliest with two exemptions: Leaving Certificate students will return to class on Monday for three days per week and special needs education will continue with extra safety precautions.
• CHILDCARE: Open for vulnerable children and children of essential workers only.
• CONSTRUCTION: Work on all non-essential construction sites will be stopped at 6pm on Friday until January 31st, 2021.
• SOLE TRADERS: Emergency workers such as electricians, plumbers and locksmiths can continue to take call-outs.
• TRAVEL: New rules require passengers from Britain and South Africa landing in Irish airports to have a negative Covid-19 test completed within the 72 hours before their arrival.
• RETAIL: Click-and-collect shopping is banned for the next four weeks. Shops are permitted to offer delivery only.
• STAY AT HOME: Household visits are banned and the 5km from home travel rule remains in place.

Case numbers may not peak for up to two weeks

The UK variant of Covid-19 is “unlike anything we’ve dealt with before”.

That was the stark admission from Health Minister Stephen Donnelly today, as he said all Government advice is now focused on one simple message: stay at home.

Minister Donnelly said the new strain of the virus is “far more contagious” and represents 24.19% of the latest samples.

With new cases mounting and hospitalisations increasing at a worrying pace, health experts have expressed serious concern that the upward trend is not slowing and will likely continue to surge before peaking as late as a fortnight from now.