People over the age of 70 are being advised to limit their interactions to a small network of people, and to shop during designated hours, as part of new measures agreed by Cabinet to stem the spread of Covid-19.
Those in that category are also asked to avoid using public transport.
The advice is part of a number of new measures announced by the Government, which will be in place up until 13 September, at the earliest.
Speaking this evening, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the advice was to take care with regard to social distancing.
In relation to people going to mass, he said he was asking people over the age of 70 to use their individual judgement.
Mr Martin said the Government was not telling people not to go to mass, adding that there are measures in place to safely go to such religious services.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said people who are over 70 were being asked to "act safely".
Read more:
New Covid-19 restrictions agreed by Cabinet
Live coronavirus updates
Outdoor gatherings limited to 15, limit of six indoors
At a glance: New Covid-19 restrictions
"There is no situation where you can be absolutely safe from this disease and this virus, unless you stay in your house and meet nobody. And we can't continue on like that." But the fewer people you come into contact with, the lower the risk, Acting CMO Dr @ronan_glynn says pic.twitter.com/32myLRWhXA
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 18, 2020
