GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Key points

Key points from today's Government announcement on the extension of the current Level5 restrictions

Key points

• The Level 5 lockdown has been extended until March 5th.

• Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the number of people in hospital and ICU beds is still to high to consider lifting restrictions. 

• Mandatory two week quarantine is also set to be introduced for people who arrive into Ireland without a negative PCR test.

  It will also apply to people coming from Brazil and South Africa and there's been a pause on visa-free travel from those countries.

• There will be an increase in the policing of the required two weeks of self-isolation for all travelers arriving into Ireland. 

  The government has said more gardaí will be operating near ports and airports to clamp down on non-essential travel. 

• The Health Minister says the covid case numbers are heading in the right direction but it will take some time before pressure is eased on our hospitals.    

• Stephen Donnelly also says the vaccination programme is going well despite AstraZeneca delivering fewer doses than what was agreed with the EU

• The Tánaiste Leo Varadkar says he hopes there will be a phased re-opening of schools through February and March.

  It will start with special needs education with negotiations ongoing between the government and unions.