Taoiseach says he has 'deep concerns' about 'aggression' of weekend anti-mask protest

The new Covid-19 plan was announced by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. The Taoiseach said that every county in the country is currently at Level Two. Taoiseach says he has 'deep concerns' about 'aggression' of weekend anti-mask protest.Show more

Micheál Martin says: “It’s the aggression of the protests I would have deep concerns about, and that should stop. You don’t need to be in other people’s faces about your opinion. You can have your opinions, you can have your views – but there was an aggression on display which I did not like in some quarters last week“.

Taoiseach says that he has “no issue” with peaceful protests, but he said people don’t need to “aggressively impose them on others”.

Here's how the levels are broken, with schools and creches open across all five levels:

Level one - the mildest level of restrictions. It would allow for 10 visitors from up to three households in people's homes, as well as weddings for up to 100 people. Indoor venues could have 100 patrons or up to 200 in larger venues (increasing to 200 or 500 in outdoor venues). Dedicated guidance would be developed for very large venues such as stadiums and auditoriums. However, nightclubs, discos and casinos would remain closed, and work from home advice would continue. Maximum numbers in bars and restaurants would be linked to capacity of the establishment.

Level two - where every county in the country is at currently. Restrictions are similar to ones that have been in place recently, but larger venues will be able to have crowds of up to 100 patrons when social distancing measures are in place. Spectator sports will resume, while up to 50 people can attend funerals or weddings.

Level three - household visits would be limited to people from one other home. Matches and events wouldn't be allowed take place, but swimming pools and gyms could remain open for 'individual training only'. Religious services can only take place online, and funerals would be limited to 25 people. Museums, galleries and other cultural sites would close, and only organised outdoor gatherings of up to 15 people could take place. People would be asked to stay in their county. Pubs and restaurants could remain open with additional restrictions for indoor dining. Everyone would be asked to work from home "unless absolutely necessary to attend in person".

Level four - no household visitors would be allowed, and only six people would be allowed attend weddings and 25 for funerals. Gyms and swimming pools would close, and sports training could only take place in pods of up to 15 outdoors. Restaurants and pubs would be limited to take away food and outdoor seating of 15 people. Hotels would be closed for all but existing guests.

Level five - the highest level of severity, similar to the national lockdown that was introduced earlier this year. Sports training would be individual only, while funerals would be limited to 10 mourners. No outdoor seating would be allowed in pubs or restaurants, with take away or delivery only allowed. People would be told to stay at home and exercise with 5km of their home. No organised outdoor gatherings would be allowed.