Trading restrictions have been extended nationwide from Wednesday October 8 until at least midnight Tuesday October 27.

Level 3 restrictions will mostly impact on bars, food service and hospitality enterprises. No organised indoor gatherings are permitted and outdoor gatherings, with sports exceptions, are subject to a maximum of 15 people.

The government is advising that people should not travel outside their own county. At the moment this advice has no legal backing though Taoiseach Micheál Martin (pictured) hinted that might change.

Under Level 3, restaurants and cafes (including bars and pubs serving food and wet pubs) may remain open for take-away and delivery and outdoor dining/service to a maximum of 15 people. Wet pubs in Dublin cannot re-open.

Businesses that previously benefited from the Restart Grant will be eligible to re-apply for a 30% top-up from their local authority.

In Association with

Meanwhile, twelve trade associations and 429 individual businesses from Ireland’s experience sector have expressed significant concerns about Covid-related restrictions.

The open letter is co-signed by 216 hotels, 115 pubs and bars, 52 companies from the event sector or that supply the drinks and hospitality sector, 19 alcoholic drinks suppliers, 27 food and non-drinks suppliers and 12 trade associations on behalf of their entire membership.

• Download the Open Letter and its signatories

The companies that signed today’s letter together employ thousands of people in Ireland. Their impact reaches well beyond those who are directly employed, and touches every city, town, village and rural community, with a far-reaching supply chain.

The letter urges the government to look to best practice internationally and to countries that have managed to keep their experience economy sector open while at the same time taking clear and targeted approaches to controlling the spread of the disease in communities. It also calls for a much more targeted set of measures and supports for the sectors most impacted by Covid and its restrictions.

Photos: RollingNews.ie