Tightened restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19 have been announced this evening, with the concept of "social bubbles" forming part of the Government's new plan.
Under the modified Level 5 measures, people are not allowed to visit other households, and may only meet with one other household outdoors, away from the home, within a 5km limit.
However, announcing the plan Taoiseach Mícheál Martin said that people who are living alone, or parenting alone, may pair with one other household in a "support bubble".
There are also exemptions to the visiting restrictions for compassionate grounds and childcare. What is a bubble? A bubble is an exclusive social network in which members can have physical contact with each other but not with