Coronavirus: Republic of Ireland's pubs to stay closed

The Irish government has decided not to move to Phase 4 of its Covid-19 recovery plan, meaning pubs and hotel bars remain closed.

Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin said the Republic of Ireland could not "risk moving backward".

The next phase would also have allowed gatherings of up to 500 people outdoors and 50 indoors.

Mr Martin said the decision would be reviewed again in three weeks time.

It is the second deferral of Phase 4 after the Irish cabinet voted to delay it in July amid concerns about the spread of the virus.

The current rules on gatherings allow for a maximum of 200 people to meet outdoors and 50 indoors.

On Tuesday, the cabinet also made changes to the green list for travel and announced face coverings will be mandatory in shops and shopping centres from Monday 10 August.

Cyprus, Malta, Gibraltar, San Marino and Monaco have been removed from the list of countries from which travellers would not have to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Micheál Martin said the "safest thing" for those who wish to travel was to "stay in Ireland"

'Make or break'

The Vintners' Federation of Ireland had described Tuesday as a "make or break day" for the hospitality industry.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that the federation, which represents 3,500 pubs outside Dublin, said publicans and their families were under "huge strain"

In Northern Ireland, "wet pubs" - or pubs that do not serve food - have been given an indicative date to reopen from Monday 10 August, but this has yet to be signed off by the Stormont Executive.

Speaking after the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the taoiseach said he was "very sorry" for the "body blow" the decision will have on some sectors.

Mr Martin said the reopening of schools and resuming other health services was essential and appealed for people to have patience to suppress the virus.

On Tuesday, the Department of Health in the Republic of Ireland reported 45 new cases of Covid-19 and no further deaths.

There have been 1,763 deaths related to coronavirus in the country, with a total of 26,253 confirmed cases.

In Northern Ireland, the total number of positive cases now stands at 5,996, while the Department of Health's death toll remains at at 556.