The country will not be moving to Level Five coronavirus restrictions.

The National Public health Emergency Team last night called for the entire country to move to the highest restriction levels.

The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan met with the three coalition leaders and the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure this afternoon to outline the reasoning behind the recommendation.

He left government buildings in the last hour after failing to convince the Taoiseach of the need to move to Level Five.

Cabinet has now rejected the recommendation and, instead, the entire country will move to Level Three restrictions from midnight tomorrow night until October 27th.

There is likely to be stricter monitoring and enforcement of the measures, which are already in place in Dublin and Donegal.

It will mean that social and family gatherings will be banned and people will only be allowed visitors from one other household.

Restaurants, bars and café’s will be allowed to remain open; however, they will only be permitted to serve customers outdoors or through takeaway.

People will be banned from leaving their home county, unless they are travelling for work, transport or other essential reasons.

Public transport will be reserved for essential workers and purposes and will be limited to 50% capacity.

Meanwhile, ministers are also considering some extra measures in relation to gatherings in homes.