Pubs and restaurants will be closed throughout the festival on Christmas Eve afternoon.

The move to curb the rising Kovid-19 numbers will be discussed in the cabinet on Tuesday. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan informed the Cabinet subcommittee on the virus on Monday.

He said Level 5 restrictions were needed after Christmas. Holohan told the government.

Other measures include extending personal services such as hairdressers and salons on Christmas Eve and the ban on travel from the UK to Ireland until New Year’s. Galleries, museums and cinemas will also be closed on Thursday.

Unnecessary retail will remain open, but sources say it will be subject to strict restrictions on the numbers allowed in stores, with the possibility of a return to the summer scenes of long queues outside stores.

The government announced on Tuesday afternoon that it would announce additional support for the affected businesses, a source said.

However, it has not yet been decided when the restrictions will take effect on domestic visits and intercounty travel.

Sources said that more details on these issues are yet to be found, however, they may be between December 26 and 28.

He spoke about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Ireland in dealing with the virus. Holohan’s presentation was explained. The message “something needs to be done” echoes when more than 700 cases arrive on the second day.