Ireland's six-week lockdown will end next week with shops, gyms and restaurants all returning as infections fall - but pubs will stay closed unless they serve food. Ireland became one of first European countries to reimpose tough COVID-19 constraints six weeks ago when the government shut non-essential retail and limited pubs and restaurants to takeaway service. Further easing will be introduced on December 4, with pubs that serve food and restaurants allowed to reopen. Mr Martin made his announcement the day the entire hospitality sector and non-essential retail in British-run Northern Ireland closed for two weeks, potentially leading to a rush of cross-border Christmas shopping. A total of 2,043 people have been killed by coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland from 71,699 confirmed cases.

Source: Daily Mail November 27, 2020 22:08 UTC