Ireland is to reintroduce Covid-19 restrictions this week, including a return to working from home wherever possible and a midnight curfew for pubs and clubs, in an effort to curb a fourth wave of the virus that has pushed infections to their highest level in nearly a year.
It is one of three European countries that will implement measures in the coming days. Slovakia and the Czech Republic are also set to introduce new restrictions after both countries on Wednesday recorded their highest daily infection figures since the start of the pandemic.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who said the grim picture in Ireland and across Europe was of “deep concern”, also announced a ramp-up of booster vaccines to all over-50s and vulnerable people.