Cabinet to consider 5pm curfew for pubs as Omicron threatens Christmas plans

Ministers are set to consider an earlier closing time for hospitality and curtailed crowds at sports events following fresh advice from public health advisers over the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in Ireland.

The Cabinet is set to meet on Friday afternoon ahead of an address to the nation by the Taoiseach on the need for more Covid restrictions.

Several media outlets reported late on Thursday that Ministers will consider a 5pm curfew for hospitality alongside limits on spectators on sporting events.

Government sources told The Irish Times that the mood had “darkened” around coming weeks and that major sporting events such as the Leopardstown races and forthcoming rugby fixtures hung in the balance.

There is also a question around upcoming gigs and concerts after it emerged the Omicron variant now accounts for 27 per cent of Covid cases.