New coronavirus restrictions have been announced in Ireland, including a midnight curfew for pubs, nightclubs and restaurants, as the country battles a fourth wave of infections.
The measures will also see household contacts of anyone testing positive required to restrict their movements for five days, regardless of vaccine status.
So-called Covid passes, which are already required for indoor hospitality, will now also be required for cinemas and theatres. Passes for gyms and hairdryers were ruled out.
It comes amid increasing concern about surging case rates and growing pressure on the country’s fragile health system.
Ministers were given a stark warning at the Cabinet sub-committee meeting on Monday, with estimates that up to 500 people may be in intensive care by next month.
The best-case scenario could see around 200 people in ICU.
Speaking in the Dail on Tuesday afternoon, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said: ‘The seasonality that applies to this particular virus, we do need to take the impending threat very seriously.
‘Collectively as a society, we do need to reduce socialisation.
‘And the Government has announced steps with respect of specific measures to add to that overall objective of reducing socialisation, reducing contacts, rolling out the booster programme, along with other initiatives.’
World Health Organisation statistics revealed that Ireland has the highest incidence rate in western Europe and the 12th highest in the world, despite having one of the most vaccinated populations.
A recent surge in cases pushed the 14-day incidence rate up to 959 per 100,000 people – a rise of 63% in a fortnight.
Boris Johnson warned earlier this week that ‘storm clouds’ of a new coronavirus wave are gathering over parts of Europe.
He said: ‘We are seeing numbers rise in Germany very steeply.
‘I am concerned about the Delta variant being passed between those who are vaccinated and indeed those who are double vaccinated.
‘It is absolutely vital, if we are going to continue in the way that we are, that people get their boosters when they are called forward.’
Analysis of data published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) looked at the seven-day rate of new reported cases, as of November 11.
In Austria there are 766.2 cases per 100,000 people (up from 484.8 a week earlier), in the Netherlands there are 496.0, up from 334.7, and in the UK there are 362.6 cases per 100,000 people (down from 412.1).
In Germany there are 280.6 cases per 100,000 people, up from 180.8, and in France 98.5, up from 64.7.
Portugal has 81.5 cases per 100,000 people (up from 57.5), Italy 78.4 (up from 52.8), and Spain 42.8 (up from 28.9).
The World Health Organisation said coronavirus deaths rose by 10% in Europe in the past week, and last week an official declared that the continent was back at the epicentre of the pandemic.
A regional leader in Germany has called for proof of vaccination or recovery from recent illness to be demanded as a requirement of entry for all indoor leisure activities.
Authorities in Croatia have also moved to introduce mandatory Covid passes, while Slovakia’s government is set to decide on tougher restrictions on Thursday.
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