DONEGAL, CAVAN AND Monaghan will be put under Level 4 Covid-19 restrictions, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced.
The measures for the three border counties will come into effect from midnight tomorrow and remain in place until 10 November.
The decision comes after restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19 were announced for the North.
Speaking about the restrictions imposed by the Northern Executive during a speech announcing the measures tonight, the Taoiseach said “the virus pays no heed to borders”.
“The picture emerging in the three border counties is also very worrying,” he added.
“This [news] will be difficult news for many people and many businesses.”
The three counties have the highest 14-day incidence rates per 100,000 in the country, with Cavan’s rate at 571, Monaghan’s at 360, and Donegal’s at 353. The national 14-day incidence is 190.
“The implications for local hospitals and public health in these areas is obvious and very serious, so too is the need for immediate escalation in restrictions in those three counties,” Martin said.
Under Level 4, people are advised not to leave their county except for work, education and other essential purposes.
The Government also advises people not to have visitors to their home or garden, and that social or family gatherings should not take place in other settings.
No indoor gatherings should take place and only outdoor gatherings of up to 15 people are allowed.
Museums, galleries and other cultural attractions all remain closed under Level 4, although schools are permitted to stay open.
Under the new restrictions in the North, pubs and restaurants will close for four weeks, with the exception of takeaways, from Friday.
From Monday schools will close for two weeks until 2 November, with one of these weeks covering the half-term Halloween break.
While the three border counties are placed in Level 4, the rest of the country remains in Level 3.
With reporting by Gráinne Ní Aodha.
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