The Cabinet looks to set to increase Covid-19 restrictions significantly at its meeting this morning, but reject a recommendation from the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan to move the country to Level 5.
It is understood a Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 agreed on a series of measures last night, including the closure of all gastro-pubs and restaurants from mid-afternoon on Christmas Eve.
The Chief Medical Officer and two senior members of NPHET briefed the Cabinet sub-committee, which includes the three coalition leaders along with the Ministers for Health, Finance and Public Expenditure.
Dr Tony Holohan expressed the view that Ireland should move to Level 5 restrictions because the Covid-19 situation here was what he termed