Local lockdown extended by two weeks in Kildare but schools to reopen as planned

Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

The so-called local lockdown in Offaly and Laois has been lifted, it has been announced - however restrictions remain in Co Kildare.

They were put in place after a spike in cases in the Midlands, with new cases mostly coming out of meat packaging factories and direct provision centres.