Stephen Donnelly defends level 3 as 'best decision' for the country

Stephen Donnelly, the health minister, said the government has to weigh up public health advice with economic impacts. Picture: Julien Behal

Imposing Level 3 restrictions nationwide is "the best decision on behalf of the country", the health minister has claimed.

Stephen Donnelly has said that case data did not escalate significantly since last week when Level 3 was recommended.