CHRISTENINGS and Holy Communions in Ireland are at risk following the latest public health guidelines.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn insisted that these gatherings risk further spread of Covid-19, and discouraged the ceremonies altogether while case numbers are still high in parts of the country.
He confirmed that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will meet today to make recommendations to the Government.
"There will be a strong message coming out tomorrow about reducing social contacts," Dr Glynn warned.
"People are letting their guard down in social settings.
"Household gatherings, Communion parties, Christenings, other family events where people are coming together from multiple different households.
"If at all possible, those need to be stopped for the next few weeks if we are going to get this back under control," he stressed.
Dr Glynn did however say that weddings were exempt from this plea, due to the fact that some of the ceremonies will have taken years to plan.
Last night, health experts warned that the number of Covid-19 cases in Dublin could double every 14 days, unless people stop socialising as much.
Three more people have died from coronavirus in Ireland and a further 84 cases were confirmed across the country.
The latest warnings come less than a day after speculation broke that Dublin and Limerick could be put into lockdown.
A cabinet meeting is scheduled for today to discuss the possibility.
