New financial supports for the hospitality and live events sector are due to be announced today.

The supports will be made available to businesses most affected by the latest round of COVID restrictions, which came into force on Tuesday.

The restrictions include the closing of nightclubs until January 9th and earlier closing hours for pubs and restaurants.

Venues are restricted to table service only with strict social distancing and a maximum of six people per table.

Meanwhile, indoor entertainment, cultural, community and sporting events must now be run at 50% capacity and be fully seated.

People also now need a COVID cert to enter gyms, leisure centres, cinemas and theatres.

The supports announced today will likely include enhanced CRSS (COVID Restrictions Support Scheme) payments and targeted supports for the live events sector.

The measures will likely include enhanced CRSS (COVID Restrictions Support Scheme) payments and targeted supports for the live events sector.

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment has already been reopened to new entrants to support people who lost their jobs due to the announcement.

Ministers Paschal Donohoe and Michael McGrath are due to announce the new supports mid-morning.

They are not expected to apply across the economy and will likely be targeted in nature.