We’re in it for the long haul.

The Government is putting the finishing touches on its Covid-19 roadmap for the coming six to nine months, with the Cabinet set to meet today and tomorrow to finalise a suite of measures set out in five different levels of disease risk.

With a further 255 cases of coronavirus reported last night, 156 of which were in Dublin, one further death and 307,930 new cases worldwide yesterday, it looks likely that the capital will start this new era in virus management on a higher alert level, which will mean some extra restrictions.

The main restriction is expected to be a limit on household visitors, reducing numbers from six people from three households to six people from two households.

Please limit your contacts this weekend as we continue our effort to limit the spread of #COVID19 and protect those most vulnerable. Simple actions remain our best means of defence:
Hand washing👍
Masks👍
Cough etiquette👍

Especially when with friends, and those well known to us

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 11, 2020

Following a weekend of violent protests and demonstrations in Dublin, where thousands of people attended anti-mask and pro-mask rallies on Saturday, CEO of the Health Service Executive Paul Reid appealed to the public to stick to the public health guidelines:

“There’s always extreme views on many issues.” he tweeted.

“For #COVID19 some argue for elimination & restrictions, at all costs. Others counter for a “herd immunity” & no measures. But life isn’t that simple. For now, it’s about living our lives differently & taking measured mitigations.”

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly also slammed anti-mask demonstrators, tweeting: “In this global struggle, where all of us are taking unprecedented steps to limit the damage done by Covid-19, it’s deeply concerning to see any campaigns that threaten to erode trust and confidence in public health.”