Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced a number of new measures this evening in a bid to curb the spread of Coronavirus.
302 new cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed in Ireland today. This is an increase on the 1,819 cases from yesterday and takes the overall total to 2,121
While now 22 people have died from the disease – an increase of three from yesterday. While as of Wednesday, there were 57 people in ICU. The Taoiseach also confirmed that one of the 22 who died was a healthcare worker.
Aside from essential services, nobody should leave their home unless they have to.
These measures will come into effect from Midnight tonight and will last until Easter Sunday, April 12.
He said: “I’m asking people to give meaning to our freedom and liberty by agreeing to these restrictions – agreeing to restrict how we live our lives, so that others may live.”
The exceptions are as follows:
- travel to work for an essential service which cannot be done from home
- Shopping for groceries or collect food
- Vital family reasons
- farming purposes
- visiting those who need care
All public or private gatherings outside a household are prohibited. This includes social and family visits which are not for the above reasons.
All visits to hospitals, residential healthcare settings, prisons will cease except for compassionate grounds.
Shielding or cocooning will be introduced for over-70s and specified categories of people. Detailed guidance is to be offered.
Only residents are to travel to offshore islands. Public transport will be limited to those offering essential services. There is to be no travel outside 2km of your home for any reason.
See all measures below:
Important information
Symptoms of Covid-19 include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Breathing difficulties.
Further resources:
- The HSE: Official advice on the coronavirus in Ireland. This is being updated based on the number of confirmed cases and how the virus spreads in Ireland.
- The Department of Foreign Affairs: Official advice on where to avoid travelling to. Also a resource for those who are abroad.
- The World Health Organization (WHO): The UN agency on global public health publishes statements and daily situation reports based on the latest data.
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): The EU agency on the number of cases, deaths and how it’s spreading in Europe.
- The Johns Hopkins University map: A heat map of the confirmed cases across the world.
A helpline for older people who are concerned about the coronavirus has been launched by Alone. The number is 0818 222 024, and it’s open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm.
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