An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed that current Level 5 restrictions will be extended until March 5.
The Government is today discussing details of the next round of restrictions, with the current set due to expire on January 31. On his way into Cabinet this morning, Micheál Martin told reporters: "As has been flagged, the restrictions will continue to the 5th of March."
He said that while "current measures are working and adherence high, our overriding objective is to alleviate pressure on our hospitals and our intensive care unit." He added that even with the imminent extension of the lockdown, there will still be a "significant number" of people in hospital with Covid-19 by the end of February.
Among other measures being discussed is a mandatory quarantine period for some travellers into the country, with 14 days being considered for anyone who arrives without a PCR test or if they have travelled from South Africa or Brazil.
Gardaí will also be engaging with people travelling to airports and ports and
handing out fines to anyone undertaking non-essential air travel.
A formal announcement on the extended lockdown and new travel measures is expected in due course.
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