Some coronavirus restrictions are back from the new week in Ireland – Prime Minister Michael Martin announced Friday night. It will relate to dining establishments and nightclubs, viewership at concerts and sporting events, home visits and country entry.

From next Tuesday to January 9, nightclubs that were only allowed to resume operations in October for the first time since the start of the pandemic will have to close again, and restaurants, bars and other restaurants will have to re-implement some restrictions. According to them, there will be service only at the tables, and a maximum of six people can sit at one table, in addition to sitting at the tables, masks will be required. Contrary to speculation, the opening time of gastronomic establishments will not be shortened and may remain open until midnight.

In Ireland, covid certificates are required at all times to enter dining venues, and from Tuesday that obligation will also be extended to gyms, leisure centres, hotel bars and restaurants.

Also, starting Tuesday, a maximum of 50 percent will be occupied on entertainment, cultural and sporting events held in closed rooms. places, but it is necessary that it be performed only in places designated for this in the public. Home visits will also be limited – people will be able to receive visitors from up to three other households.

However, since Monday, the rules for entering Ireland by air and sea are changing – all arrivals at the border must show a negative coronavirus test result – either a rapid antigen test, done within 48 hours prior to arrival, or a PCR test that is done in within 72 hours before arrival. This obligation will also apply to people from Great Britain, although a common travel space has been agreed between the two countries.

“The risk of entering the holiday season infinitely … is too great. If Omikron plays a role and becomes more portable, the potential for a very serious crisis is clear,” Martin explained in his Friday evening televised address. ..

Only one case of the Omikron variant has been detected in Ireland to date, but infections with the Delta variant remain at a very high level. The average daily number of infections detected in the past seven days was 4,569 – slightly lower than the previous week, but still the third-highest since the pandemic began. This is despite Ireland’s vaccination coverage being among the highest in the world, with 91% fully vaccinated. Population over 12 years old.

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