The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has officially outlined the Level 5 operating guide for marts around the country.

In a statement today (Wednesday, October 21), the department said:

“On October 19, an Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced that Level 5 restrictive measures will apply as of midnight, Wednesday, October 21.”

These measures are subject to ongoing review and may be amended as required to ensure compliance with government policy on Covid-19, the department added.

These measures are largely similar to those put in place in April and May.

Marts wishing to operate from midnight tonight must submit a revised standard operating procedure (“Level 5 SOP – October”) to their Regional Veterinary Office for approval as soon as possible.

The Department of Agriculture has informed mart representative organisations of these new measures, and will write to all marts today informing them of the new measures.