Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced that Dublin is moving to Level 3 of the Living with Covid plan from midnight tonight.
Mr Martin said that all across Europe the coronavirus is gaining a foothold and spreading at a rate not seen since March and April.
He said that in the past two weeks many countries have seen a ''doubling of new cases''. He said the threat of Covid-19 is growing ''on our island''.
He added the capital is in a very dangerous place and that without action there is real threat that Dublin could return to the worst days of crisis. "I know the restrictions will make many people angry but we have very clear advice that they will save lives," said Mr Martin.