Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed that Level 5 lockdown restrictions are to be imposed on Clare and all of Ireland.
From midnight on Wednesday, restrictions will be greatly stepped up – people are being told to stay at home and go no further than 5km away from their house. A graduated system of penalties is being examined to enforce this.
The measures will be in place until December 1st.
Schools and creches remain open.
People living or parenting alone can pair with another household as part of a social support bubble, but social visits in homes and gardens are not permitted.
Only essential businesses can remain open, and the closure of non-essential retail outlets will result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs. Construction sites can stay open.
The PUP payment is being restored to €350 a week for anyone who was earning more than €400 a week before losing their job, while changes to the Wage Subsidy Scheme bands will give more money to employers.
Elite sport including inter-county GAA will be allowed to continue as well as League of Ireland and the Six Nations.
