Minister for Health Mr Stephen Donnelly has stated that the first Covid-19 vaccines will be administered on December 30th.
Ireland will return to Level 5 restrictions, with a number of exemptions, from Christmas Eve. Restrictions are expected to stay in place for the next two months.
However, the government has agreed that people can travel beyond their county, only until the end of St. Stephen’s Day, December 26th inclusive.
Restaurants and gastro-pubs will close at 3:00pm on Christmas Eve. Hair and beauty salons will also close on Christmas Eve.
From 1st of January, no household mixing will be allowed, except for essential family reasons.
Non-essential retail can remain open, but shops will be asked to postpone January sales.
Christmas Day religious services can take place and then services will move online from 26th December. However, places of worship will remain open for private prayer. Up to ten mourners only are permitted at funerals.
People should continue to work from home, unless it is essential to travel for work.
The Department of Health have confirmed this evening that there have sadly been 13 further deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll, here in the Republic of Ireland, remaining at 2,171.
There are 970 new additional virus cases reported today, leaving the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception in the Irish Republic, at 81,228.
There are 238 coronavirus patients in hospitals, with 28 cases being treated in intensive care units, across the Republic.
There have been in total 1686 killer Covid-19 cases here in Co. Tipperary to date and rising, according to data last updated today, Tue. December 22nd 2020. (Up 4 confirmed cases since yesterday).
Of today’s cases; 348 people tested positive in Dublin, 60 in Limerick, 59 in Cork, 59 in Wexford, 55 in Louth and the remaining 389 cases located across 20 other counties.
The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan warns that it is really important that people stay at home and stop socialising, as the virus is spreading very, very quickly.
Total global cases up to 5.30pm this evening, now stand at over 77.6 million with global deaths at over 1.7 million.
The National Public Health Emergency Team and the Government continues to request the public to reduce in-person contacts, to wash their hands regularly, to keep fresh air circulating in homes, to avoid crowds while shopping and to wear face coverings.
Please, please be mindful, this Christmas season, as this virus remains a constant danger, especially to vulnerable and older persons.
“Stop the chain of transmission now – limit your movements today and above all stay safe.”
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