IRELAND'S Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has poured cold water on hopes that we could have anything resembling a 'normal' Christmas this year.
He warned that large family get-togethers and office Christmas parties shouldn't be happening due to Covid-19 fears.
This is in spite of recent news that Ireland could be moved to Level Two of the Living with Covid Plan by mid-December.
Dr Holohan revealed that it was too early to say whether Ireland will be able to leave Level Five as planned on December 1, and stressed the importance of continuing to follow all relevant public health guidelines in order to suppress the virus as best we can in the run up to Christmas.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is due to meet with the Government next Thursday and recommend which steps to take following lockdown.
Earlier this week, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar warned Irish people living abroad not to book flights home for Christmas, a message that was echoed by Dr Holohan last night.
He controversially told the Irish diaspora to abandon the idea of coming home for Christmas the year, stressing that flying back to Ireland for the holidays was considered "non essential travel".
Ireland is expected to move back into Level Three once lockdown ends on December 1, and there are hopes that a move to Level Two could be possible towards the end of the month in time for Christmas.
In Level Two, large family get-togethers won't be possible, but gatherings of up to six people are fine. As is mixing with up to three other households.
Fingers crossed.
