The Government has announced further restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19.
Ministers signed off on the new measures this afternoon following advice from the National Health Emergency Team.
At a press conference, the Taoiseach said all non-essential retail units will close from midnight tonight.
That includes hairdressers, betting shops, gyms/leisure centres, marts, markets, casinos, bingo halls, libraries, theatres and clubs.
Today, we announced new actions to help stop the spread of Covid 19. I am asking you to stay at home if at all possible. You should only leave home to go to work, if you have to, & only go to the shops for essential supplies. We need to flatten the curve & suppress this virus. pic.twitter.com/VO3fM3ckwo
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) March 24, 2020
Restaurants and cafes are to shut unless they can offer a take-away option.
Playgrounds will close and all sporting events are cancelled, including those indoors.
Hotels are being told to restrict occupancy as much as possible.
These measures will remain in place until Sunday, April 19th.
Retail units which are deemed essential and will stay open include food shops, petrol stations, pharmacies and hardware stores.
Leo Varadkar said no travel within or outside Ireland should happen unless it's absolutely necessary.
Individuals should work from home unless workplace attendance is essential and can't be done remotely.
Factories and construction sites do not have to shut but employers should work with unions and the Government to make physical distancing effective.
Groups of four or more people are not to gather unless they are from the same household.
Gardaí will ensure that people obey these measures and also comply with social distancing guidelines.
Schools, originally told to close until March 29th, will not re-open on Monday with the closure order set to be extended.
The State is to take full control of every private hospital in the country for the duration of the Covid-19 emergency.
Private hospitals will operate as public ones, which the Government says will add 2,000 beds and free up nine laboratories to cope with the rising numbers of coronavirus patients.
