Taoiseach Micheál Martin has this evening (Friday) addressed the nation saying that Level 5 restrictions will be eased and will move to Level 3 - with some modifications - from December 1.

Earlier today the Cabinet met to sign off on the country’s exit from Level 5 restrictions.

Changes include:

• Hotels, retail outlets, churches, gyms and museums, galleries, cinemas, and libraries to reopen from Tuesday, December 1.

• Next Friday, December 4 cafes and restaurants (including hotel restaurants and bars) and pubs operating as restaurants (serving a substantial meal) are to reopen. Hotels are also set to reopen for indoor dining with additional restrictions, including a requirement for meals to be prepared on site, inside the premises. However, wet pubs must operate as a take-away service only. Additional supports will be made available to them.

• People are asked to stay in their county until December 18 when it comes to travel.

• From December 1, people are being asked to wear masks outdoors in busy streets and in places of worship.

• Work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend in person.

• Weddings may proceed, but with a limit of 25 guests for ceremony and reception.

• Religious services open with a maximum of 50 people.

• Up to 25 mourners can attend funerals.

• Non contact training only in pods of up to 15 (for example: golf, tennis, horse riding, hunting, Gaelic games, soccer, outdoor basketball).

The Taoiseach said that the constant battle with COVID-19 “is tough and mentally exhausting” but added “we now have the second lowest infection rate in the European Union”.

“The Government has considered carefully the advice of NPHET, we have listened to and studied all the information available to us.”

As we exit Level 5 restrictions, he added, “we do so with a deep desire not to go back”.

“2020 has been a remarkable year, a year we’ve made huge sacrifices for the common good. We will come through this together.”