A new 8pm closing time has been imposed on the hospitality sector in a bid to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned the number of new Covid cases and hospitalisations is likely to surpass anything seen before in the coming weeks.
Indoor gatherings won’t be allowed after 8pm – and will be limited to 50% capacity or 1,000 attendees.
Outdoor gatherings like matches will see 50% capacity to a max of 5,000 people.
There will be an exemption to the 8pm closing time for weddings – which can continue until midnight but with a cap of 100 guests.
New rules on close contacts will mean people who have had a booster need to restrict movements for five days, rising to ten days for those who haven’t been boosted.
All people arriving into the Republic of Ireland through ports and airports will be advised to do daily antigen testing for five days post arrival.
Announcing the measures Taoiseach Michael Martin said the need to move quickly and slow the spread of the omicron variant is clear:
