Support payments to continue for businesses forced to remain closed in lockdown - Taoiseach

Micheál Martin said his government will have to look at new initiatives to help the hospitality sector as it emerges from Covid-19 because it has suffered more than most. Picture: Dan Linehan

Support payments will continue for those businesses and sectors forced to remain closed during the extended lockdown, the Taoiseach has assured.

Michéal Martin made the comment as he confirmed that level 5-type restrictions will remain in place beyond March 5 with the government adopting an extremely cautious approach towards reopening the economy over the next two months while the vaccine programme is being rolled out.