Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this afternoon announced stricter measures as Ireland ramps up its battle against coronavirus.
Mr Varadkar and his Cabinet met this morning to discuss "significant new restrictions" recommended by the country's top medical advisors.
Stopping just short of a full lockdown, the following measures have been announced which will come into place from Tuesday, March 24th.
New coronavirus measures from March 24th
- All theatres, clubs, gyms/leisure centres, hairdressers, betting shops, marts, markets, casinos, bingo halls, libraries and other similar outlets to close.
- All hotels to limit occupancy to essential non-social and non-tourist reasons.
- All non-essential retail outlets to close to the public and all other retail outlets to implement social distancing.
- All cafes and restaurants are to limit supply to take-away food or delivery and implement social distancing measures.
-All sporting events have been cancelled, including those behind closed doors.
- All holiday parks and playgrounds are to close.
- All places of worship are to restrict numbers entering at any one time to ensure adequate social distancing.
- Social distancing, in far as practicable, is to be ensured between the clients/patients in confined settings.
-People should not use public transport unless absolutely necessary, cleaning schedules onboard are to be improved.
- Gardai are to increase interventions where venues and outlets are not following guidelines.
- All household contacts of a suspected case are asked to restrict movements for 14 days.
- People should work from home where at all possible unless it is essential to go into work
- social gatherings outdoors should be of no more than for people.
- All non-essential indoor visits to other person's homes should be avoided.
- All crowded places should be avoided.
- All scheduled cruise ship travel to cease.
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