On Friday Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced new travel and gathering restrictions to be effective in Ireland through 30 January 2022 intended to limit the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19:
- 8 PM curfew for restaurants and bars (excluding takeaway and delivery) and indoor events
- Attendance at events held earlier in the day limited to 50% of venue capacity or 1000 people, whichever is fewer
- Attendance at outdoor events limited to 50% of venue capacity or 5000 people, whichever is fewer
- Wedding receptions can take place after 8 PM but with limit of 100 guests.
- Persons who received a COVID-19 booster shot prior to 10 December must restrict movement for 5 days and take 3 antigen tests.
- Persons who have not yet received a booster must restrict movement for 10 days; testing regime will be forthcoming.
- Persons arriving from overseas must take an antigen or PCR test according to their vaccination or recovery status.
- All passengers arriving in Ireland should be advised to conduct antigen testing daily for 5 days beginning on the day of arrival.
Speaking after the announcement, Tanaiste Dr. Leo Varadkar said the COVID-19 pandemic could continue for "several years," and that Ireland's current policy of "opening slowly" may be something that "needs to change" as the pandemic continues.
That doesn't bode well for tourism...
