NPHET want Level 5 Covid-19 lockdown up to Christmas
By Conor Ganly
Published 16th Oct 2020, 13:51 BST
Updated 16th Oct 2020, 13:53 BST
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has recommended that the entire country moves to Level 5 for a period of six weeks.
The advice is reported to be contained in a letter sent to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. It is due to be discussed at a meeting between Government and Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan.
Ministers expect the issue to be decided in the coming days in order to avoid a period of uncertainty.
The letter is not expected to recommend the closure of schools. Teachers have previously said opening schools during a Level 5 would be 'incomprehensible'.
A number of Government sources have confirmed details of the recommendations to RTÉ News.