Government to consider 5pm closure for bars and restaurants

NPHET is reported to be recommending that bars and restaurants shut from 5pm on Monday.

The recommendation will be considered by Cabinet today - along with other significant new restrictions.

The speed at which the new variant, Omicron, is spreading through the population is understood to the basis on which the dramatic new recommendation is based.

NPHET is also understood to be recommending that sport and other gatherings should not take place after 5pm. A significant cut in capacity for outdoor events is also proposed.

Restaurants Association of Ireland Chief Executive Adrian Cummins told RTE a 5pm closure would represent "a hospitality lockdown".

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has indicated that some NPHET modelling suggests that hospitalisations due to Omicron could exceed the levels seen at the peak in January last.