A countrywide restriction on household visits has come into effect for four weeks as part of efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.

A countrywide restriction on household visits has come into effect for four weeks as part of efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Since midnight, Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan have also been moved to Level 4 restrictions as part of measures announced by the Government.
It comes after it was confirmed that three more people with the virus had died and 1,205 new cases were announced yesterday evening.
Across the country there are restricting on visits to homes and gardens except on compassionate grounds or for essential reasons, such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people, and in particular those who live alone.
In the three counties where Level 4 is in operation, restrictions mean that non-essential retail and personal services have had to close.
Bars, cafes and restaurants can still serve up to 15 people outdoors, but from Monday weddings will be reduced to a limit of six guests.
The measures will remain in place until at least 10 November.
Yesterday evening, the Chief Medical Officer said it is now clear Covid-19 is not in control here, with the disease trajectory nationally rapidly deteriorating.
Dr Tony Holohan said the virus growth rate has accelerated and is a matter of grave concern, as he again appealed to people to cut non-essential social contacts with others.
This is “not a message of hopelessness or despair”, Prof Philip Nolan says. “The message here has to be more of those basic things [following public health advice] could turn this around quicker than we might think” | https://t.co/bXHSGf30fTpic.twitter.com/h55kqwgzoj
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 15, 2020
Interactive map: Covid-19 cases in your area
Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath has said that restrictions on people visiting households is “not a ban”. He said the Government was asking people to use their judgement.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time, Mr McGrath said the measure was designed to “cut out” unnecessary home visits and to try to reduce people’s social contacts to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
He also said the virus is relentless and that he wanted to be straight with people, saying “until an effective vaccine comes along, life will not be as we knew it”.
Mr McGrath said it was heartbreaking to see businesses shut their doors but he said the Government was “throwing an awful lot at this because we know what’s at stake”.
He said he hoped the All-Ireland football championship will go ahead if the players are comfortable with it, but he said it was only provided for in Level 4 and if we go to Level 5 matches would not be permitted.
It was another reason people need to “double down” in the fight against the virus, he added.