The Level 5 restrictions will be lifted on December 1st.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will meet today to discuss the next step in Ireland’s Covid-19 battle, with the Taoiseach Michéal Martin expected to make a formal address before the weekend.

The team will be meeting a day earlier than usual to consider a number of issues, including new rules for Christmas gatherings and travel between counties over the holidays.

According to the latest reports, a variation on the ‘Level 3’ plan is the likeliest option. Inter-county travel could be allowed later in December until early in the New Year to allow families and friends to reunite over the festive period.

While non-essential retail will reopen from this Tuesday, it is increasingly unlikely that pubs that do not serve food will be allowed to reopen in December.

Coronavirus claimed a further six lives in the past 24 hours, with 226 new cases confirmed.

Yesterday Tánaiste Leo Varadkar indicated that another lockdown may be necessary in early 2021 to handle the inevitable increase in cases over the Christmas period.