Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Following the advice of NPHET, the Government made the decision to move the entire country to Level 5 of the Framework for Living with COVID-19 for a period of six weeks . While essential retail and services including schools, early learning and childcare will remain open, all non-essential services must close. A list of essential services can be found at .

Businesses should carefully review the essential services list and determine whether they can operate or not under the current restrictions. It is not necessary for businesses to seek official authorisation.

This decision was not taken lightly, and I am acutely conscious of the impact it will again have on businesses. That is why since the beginning of the pandemic, the Government has worked to support businesses through this difficult time with a comprehensive range of measures for firms of all sizes.