As the country returns to level five Covid-19 restrictions here’s a breakdown of what will be happening over next few days :

Public transport capacity will be restricted at 25%.(date to be confirmed)

Restaurants and gastro-pubs will close at 3pm on Christmas Eve. Hair and beauty salons will also close on Christmas Eve. 

Non-essential retail can remain open but shops will be asked to postpone January sales.

No new inter-county travel will be allowed after St Stephen’s Day which means that people must stay in their own county from 27 December. 

Up until St Stephen’s Day,visits from up to two other households will be permitted. Household visits will be reduced to one other household from 27 December.

In both cases, a ‘support bubble’ is counted as one household.

From 1 January, no household mixing will be allowed except for essential family reasons such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people.

Hotels may provide food and bar services to guests only after 3pm on Christmas Eve. Hotels may only open to guests for essential purposes after 26 December.

Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools can remain open for individual training only.