Stephen Donnelly says kissing lots of people on New Years Eve is not allowed – Extra.ie

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has admitted that he is nervous about revellers kissing lots of people at potential New Years Eve celebrations.

The Cabinet is expected to meet this Wednesday afternoon to discuss implementing a full Level 5 lockdown.

Pubs and restaurants were forced to shut their doors on December 24 as the Government confirmed Level 5 restrictions with some modifications.

Household visits fell to just one other household from December 26 but will cease completely from January 1.

The Cabinet is expected to discuss closing non-essential retail and gyms at their emergency meeting this afternoon. It has also been suggested that 5km travel restrictions may be reimplemented.

Speaking to Newstalks The Hard Shoulder, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly admitted that the Government is worried about the climbing number of COVID-19 cases.

The Fianna Fail TD for Wicklow said that, in particular, he is worried about people becoming overly amorous at potential New Years Eve celebrations.

He told Newstalk that there was no question that increased socialisation over the last number of weeks has led to increased COVID-19 case figures.

Minister Donnelly went onto say there should be no kissing lots of people on New Years Eve.

He noted that the emergency Cabinet meeting was called to discuss both the increasing case figures and the concerning number of hospitalisations over the last week.

He explained: It is in response to two things. One is the very serious and ongoing rise in cases.

The second is linked to a very big increase in hospitalisations.

We will be meeting to consider new measures. Its an unscheduled Cabinet meeting and we are meeting specifically in the context of the NPHET advice which is to move to full Level 5 and indeed the rise in cases and hospitalisations.

But suffice to say the purpose of the meeting is to look at the measures and see are there more changes required given the situation were facing.

Stephen Donnellys comments come as Ireland recorded its highest ever COVID-19 case count.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) confirmed an additional 1,546 COVID-19 cases. There were also another nine deaths linked to the virus.

There were 409 people in hospital with the virus on Tuesday evening.

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Stephen Donnelly says kissing lots of people on New Years Eve is not allowed - Extra.ie