Level 3 restrictions can work in interrupting the spread of COVID-19 in Ireland if people reduce their contacts.
That's according to Dr Nuala O'Connor, a GP in Cork and Clinical Lead on COVID-19 at the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP).
All counties nationwide are under Level 3 restrictions until midnight on October 27th.
It comes as 617 more cases of COVID-19 were reported in Ireland yesterday, as well as five additional deaths associated with the virus.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Dr O'Connor said: "I think Level 3 can get us to where we need to get but only if people, as in the public, actually buy into it and practice what we are asking people to do in Level 3.
"The reason we went from Level 2 to Level 3 is because people were not doing what we have asked them to do.
"The only we can interrupt the spread of this virus is by people not meeting other people.
"If every person in this country reduces the number of people they meet by one, that's five million less chances for the virus to spread.
She added that there were 142 people being treated in hospitals for COVID-19 on Tuesday, with the figure now standing at 187.
Dr O'Connor said it was particularly important that capacity is maintained in ICU and hospitals do not become overwhelmed so that non-COVID patients can be treated.
