The Taoiseach has addressed the nation from the steps of Government Buildings in Dublin this evening to confirm the news of the reimposition of certain restrictions in a bid to offset and ease the spiralling exponential growth of covid-19 in Ireland
Micheál Martin said that Ireland is “experiencing another surge of Covid infection“.
It’s estimated that for every four detected cases there may be as many as six asymtomatic undetected cases in the community and “that is too many,” he added.
He added “This is the fourth surge – but it is different – and the vaccination programme has allowed us to keep society open.”
Micheál Martin says that the current surge of Covid-19 cases is a dramatic reminder of what the virus can do, and action must be taken now. He says that the vaccination and booster programme remains at the core of the response to the disease.
Today, following public health advice, the Government has agreed a range of measures aimed at interrupting the spread of COVID-19 in the community:
With effect from midnight Thursday 18th November:
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- Everyone should revert to working from home unless it is necessary to attend the workplace in person;
- Statutory requirement for COVID-19 passes (based on vaccination or recovery) will be extended to cinemas and theatres (which many are already applying to allow for greater capacity); and
- Closing times for all on-licensed premises (save for hotels regarding staying guests) will move to midnight with all customers vacated from the premises by that time.
- Household close contacts who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic should restrict their movements pending completion of recommended antigen testing (i.e. 5 days).
Meanwhile 4,407 new Covid-19 cases of have been reported this evening.
614 people with Covid-19 are in hospital, a fall of eight from yesterday. Of these, 114 patients are being treated in intensive care units around the country.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan has since warned the case level was “unsustainable“.
