Taoiseach: Level 5 could have cost hundreds of thousands of jobs

Taoiseach Micheál Martin acknowledged that there is a worrying rise in positive Covid-19 cases and said the entire country will move alongside Dublin and Donegal onto level 3 restrictions from midnight on Tuesday. Picture: Julien Behal

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said a move to level 5 restrictions, as requested by State doctors, would have had a “devastating” impact on lives and businesses that are only getting back on their feet.

Mr Martin confirmed the Government decision to reject the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team. He made clear a balance is now being struck between the public health advice and the wider economic and societal impact of returning to a full lockdown.