Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced that the entire country is to move to Level 3 on Ireland’s Plan for Living with COVID-19, despite National Public Health Emergency Team's (NPHET) advice that it should move to Level 5.

Level 3 imposes restrictions on weddings, funerals, sports, work and travel outside your home county.

However farming and food production are still considered essential work and so will continue without any severe restrictions.

Marts, factories, vets and agri retailers are expected to operate as they have been doing in recent months, although there is the possibility that some may be reviewed to ensure they can prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential

On Monday, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture said: “Essential services [which includes many agri industries] that continue may likely require an evaluation of their risk mitigation measures to ensure their continued effectiveness in the face of new challenges.”

The Taoiseach has urged everyone to play their part in preventing the spread of the virus, saying: "In the coming days we will be increasing the levels of public guidance on compliance and will work more closely with all sectors and stakeholders to ensure that measures are fully implemented so that we get maximum impact.

"I understand how frustrated people are and how the yearning for normality grows stronger all the time. However, COVID-19 is still deadly and we cannot ignore the threat it still poses.

"Up to 2,400 people have already lost their lives on this island. We cannot and should not forget this."

Gatherings

No organised indoor gatherings will be permitted and outdoor organised gatherings will be restricted to 15 people. This will rule out many meetings of farm organisations and limit any planned outdoor farm walks or demonstrations.

Marts

Marts will continue to operate, in accordance with their standard operating procedures which are approved by the Department of Agriculture. They are required to impose mask wearing, limit numbers and impose time limits and social distancing. Their licence to trade depends on these rules being adhered to.

Meat factories and dairy co-ops

Meat and dairy processing have always been deemed essential work and this remains the case under Level 3 restrictions.

Travel

Farmers, like all citizens, will be required to stay in their county for all non-essential activities. However essential farming work, such as feeding animals, will be allowed outside a farmer's home county.

The Taoiseach's office has explicitly said travel is allowed for “farming purposes such as food production and/or care of animals”.

Government advice

The Government's full advice on Level 3 rules is available to read here.

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