A member of the Cabinet has tested positive for Covid just hours after the Government announced measures for a third lockdown - starting on Christmas Eve.

All of the ministers are currently restricting their movements in accordance to public health guidelines.

The rest of the cabinet are also awaiting a Covid test and result.

A spokesperson for the Government said: "A member of Cabinet has tested positive for COVID-19.

"In line with public health advice, all Ministers are restricting their movements while awaiting a COVID test and result."

All restaurants, bars and live music are being shut down again from 3pm tomorrow, following the introduction of a waft of new restrictions to combat the surge in the number of coronavirus cases.

While the measures are initially designed to last until January 12th, there is no guarantee that they will end then, with the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, forecasting that they might potentially last for two months – that is until towards the end of February.

The most dramatic effect of the government decision is that the hospitality sector – restaurants and bars – will close again, except for takeaway, effectively until further notice. That means also that live gigs have also been put back on complete hold, with a sea of uncertainty surrounding the whole live music industry sector again.

In a sweeping move that will upset many, indoor mingling of households will be limited to two, from December 27th – the likelihood being that all mingling will be banned from January 1st.