Minister says no plan for Dublin lockdown at the moment

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says there are no plans at present for local lockdowns in parts of Dublin.

217 cases of coronavirus were confirmed nationwide yesterday evening, the largest spike in several days.

Dublin had the highest number of new cases with 103 recorded.

Speaking to Pat Kenny this morning on his Newstalk radio show, Minister Donnelly said there are no plans being considered for any lockdown.

“That’s not being contemplated at the moment, what we’re looking at at the moment is the different healthcare areas within Dublin,” he said.

“It’s split into eight.

“What we’re seeing is that in the north and north-west, really around the border of Kildare, we are seeing higher cases.

“The cases in Dublin generally have been increasing steadily over the last few days.

“There has been no talk of additional restrictions being brought in for Dublin, or indeed other areas.”

Asked if parts within Dublin could be placed in lockdown, Minister Donnelly said: “It’s not being contemplated at the moment, no”.