Cabinet to consider tightening restrictions

The cabinet is set to meet this afternoon to consider measures to curtail the rapid spread of Covid-19 as the country recorded over1,500 new cases.

Locally, Cavan recorded 26 new cases yesterday while Monaghan had a startling 56 positive results.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath said the situation with the coronavirus is “deteriorating quite quickly” and the Government must consider removing modifications to Level 5.

The Cabinet meet today to take advice from NPHET who have already expressed their desire for a full implementation of Level 5.

New restrictions could see household visits halted, non-essential retail closed and travel restricted to within 5km of home. It is thought that closure of schools is not on the table.

The unscheduled meeting comes after the State reported its highest number of daily Covid-19 cases (1,546) on Tuesday, since the start of the pandemic.

On this morning's edition of RTÉ’s Morning Ireland Minister McGrath said the Cabinet's decision will be conveyed to the public.

The meeting comes as Cavan's recorded cases showed a 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population to December 15-28) is 246.8. As the population of Co Cavan is less than 100,000 in real terms that amounts to 188 new cases in the last fortnight. Monaghan's 14 day incidence per 100,000 is 454.5 (or 279 new cases).