December 31 In response to the growing COVID-19 epidemic, the Irish government decided on the 30th to extend the highest level of prevention and control of the novel coronavirus epidemic, level 5, until January 31 next year, and tighten prevention and control measures.
In a statement issued on the evening of the 30th, the Irish government said that the ban on air and sea travel against the United Kingdom will be extended until January 6 next year. Given that mutant COVID-19 has also been found in South Africa, the air and sea travel ban until January 6 next year also applies to South Africa. This is the first time that Ireland has announced a travel ban on South Africa since the outbreak of the epidemic.
Ireland entered the level 5 prevention and control status from midnight on December 24, which was originally scheduled to be valid until January 12 next year.
In order to meet people’s needs to celebrate Christmas and New Year, the government has partially adjusted five levels of prevention and control measures, such as allowing people to move around the local area and keeping non-essential retail stores open. After the relaxation of prevention and control measures, the coronavirus epidemic in Ireland has rebounded significantly.
According to the data released by the Irish Ministry of Health on the evening of the 30th, 1,718 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus were recorded on that day, a new high since the epidemic for the second consecutive day, with a total of 90,157 confirmed cases; 13 new deaths and a total of 2,226 deaths.
After the Irish government tightens the level 5 prevention and control measures, people’s range of activities shall not be more than 5 kilometers away from home in principle, and all retail stores that are not essential for life will be closed.
Original title: Ireland extends the time of the highest level of COVID-19 prevention and control
