According to The Financial Times, Ireland will mandate working from home where possible and a midnight curfew for pubs and clubs in a bid to curb a fourth wave of the virus.

Slovakia and the Czech Republic are also set to reintroduce new restrictions after both countries reportedly recorded their highest daily infection figures since the start of the pandemic on Wednesday (17 November).

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said in an announcement on Tuesday (16 November) that the situation in Ireland and across the continent was of "deep concern".

He said there would be "no doubt" the country would be in a "full-scale" lockdown if it wasn’t for Ireland’s vaccination success, with 89% of over-12s having received a second dose.

In the Czech Republic, where just 58% of the population is fully vaccinated, prime minister Andrej Babis reportedly said that from next Monday (23 November), people who had not been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 would be banned from attending public events.

The Slovakian government will decide on Thursday (18 November) the extent of the restrictions they will implement. The new Irish restrictions will take effect on Friday (19 November).

The Netherlands reintroduced face masks in indoor public spaces and expanded entry pass requirements on 6 November.