Level 5 restrictions are to be extended until Friday, March 5, the Government has confirmed.

Speaking at a press conference, the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, urged people to continue to stay at home for the next six weeks. He said that the current restrictions are having an impact, however hospitals are under severe pressure and this needs to be eased.

Meanwhile, people travelling into Ireland without a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test will face mandatory quarantine at a "designated facility". They will also be subject to a fine of €2,500 and/or six months in prison.

Similarly, mandatory quarantine at designated facilities will be required for those arriving from Brazil or South Africa. In other cases, passengers will be required by law to quarantine at home.

"Applications of these measures to passengers who are not EU/EEA citizens can be introduced by regulations under existing legislation. For all other passengers, it will be necessary to amend primary legislation. The detailed legislative work to implement this will get under way immediately," Mr Martin explained.

He also emphasised that policing of these regulations would be "increased significantly".

Within Ireland, people are being reminded that they cannot travel more than 5km from their home unless it is an essential journey.

For more information on level 5 restrictions, click here.