Here's A Reminder Of Today's Covid Headlines
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COVID-19 UPDATE: 1,345 NEW CASES
There are 105 people being treated for the virus in hospital, down one on yesterday.
Of those, 21 in are in Intensive Care Units, also one down on yesterday’s figure.
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Indoor dining will be restricted to parties of six when it reopens this Monday.
Under draft guidelines issued by Failte Ireland last night, customers who want to sit inside will have to produce a Covid certificate and proof of ID and give their name and contact details for contact tracing.
There will be no time limit on tables, but all pubs and restaurants will have to close at 11.30pm every night.
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The Disabilities Minister says children should be vaccinated against Covid-19 as soon as possible - with sick kids prioritised.
The European Medicines Agency authorised the Moderna jab for 12 to 17s yesterday.
They'd already approved the Pfizer vaccine for the same age-group - but NIAC has still to issue its guidance for Ireland.
Minister of State, Anne Rabbitte, says she'd like the rollout for children to start immediately.
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The number of Covid-19 patients in hospital is likely to exceed 200 within the the next week, according to an infectious diseases consultant.
The figure has more than doubled in the past 14 days, and now stands at 106.
The highest number of Covid cases in six months was also confirmed yesterday, with NPHET reporting 1,386 new infections.
Dr Eoghan de Barra, from Beaumont Hospital, fears a further sharp increase in hospitalisations, as the fourth wave continues.
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Authorities in the Australian city of Sydney have tightened lockdown restrictions after it's biggest daily Covid case increase this year.
136 new cases were recorded, taking the total since a case was detected in June to over 1,900.
The state's premier has also hinted that stay at home orders could be extended beyond the current expiry of July 30th.
New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazard says it's a national emergency.
