New restrictions have been unveiled by the Government to contain the spread of Covid 19 and will remain in place until at least the end of January.
All schools are to remain closed, with an exception for leaving cert students, who will attend classes three days a week.
Special education should remain open with protections in place.
While childcare services will close generally, they can remain open for vulnerable children and children of frontline workers.
All construction, with some exceptions must cease until January 31st.
Announcing the measures, Taoiseach Michael Martin says the challenge facing Irish people is stark:
Education Minister Norma Foley says the decision to close the schools is being taken to reduce the movement of over 1 million people.
UK passengers arriving into Ireland will have to provide a negative Covid-19 test at airports and ferry terminals from Saturday.
The PCR test must have been acquired within 72 hours of travelling.
The travel ban with the UK has also been extended until midnight on Friday.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan says those arriving who break the new rules will be penalised:
