Ireland lockdown: Full list of first original restrictions as country 'returns to March rules'

The whole country is gearing to enter the strictest stretch of lockdown restrictions since we first heard the phrase almost 12 months ago.

Crunch talks took place last night where Cabinet have appeared to agree that schools and non-essential construction should close until January 31 which should be signed off later today.

Most construction projects will stop with exceptions for social housing and other projects while creches will remain open to look after children of essential workers.

As well as this, Government are looking at putting a stop to 'click and collect' services for non-essential retailers and instead implementing a 'click and deliver' type service.

You can stay up to date with the latest on all things coronavirus in our Live Blog here.

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But let us cast our minds back to March 2020 when we were hit with the first, unprecedented string of Covid-19 restrictions.

Here's exactly what was put in place when the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar made a highly anticipated announcement:

People were told they must stay at home in all circumstances, except for -

• Travelling to and from work where work is essential health, social care or other essential service that can't be done from home.
• To shop for essential food and household goods or attend medical appointments and collect medicines.
• For vital family reasons such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people but excluding social family visits.
• To take brief physical exercise within 2km of your own home, as well as for farming purposes and food production.

All public gatherings outside a family household or single unit were prohibited and a further range of non-essential services and businesses were closed.

Pharmacists were allowed dispense medication outside of the period on a prescription in line with their own personal judgement.

All non-essential surgery and health procedures were postponed and public transport was restricted to essential workers.

Local authorities were told to relax restrictions for on-street parking regulations to meet the travel needs of "essential workers"

All work was advised to be done from home unless you had to travel to work because you're a healthcare professional, a social care worker or you provide another essential service.

The full list of what the Government deemed to be "essential services and essential workers" as announced in March 2020 are:

• Public and civil service personnel
• Journalists
• Utilities personnel
• Transport (i.e. hauliers and bus/train drivers)
• health care and social workers

Back then, Gardai launched a major operation to ensure the public complied with strict new rules immediately with thousands of gardai on foot, bike and mobile patrols.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar making his address to the nation in a rare live broadcast where he warned that this week is the "calm before the storm" in the coronavirus pandemic (RTE/PA Wire)

Essential retail outlets were outlined as follows:

1. Retail and wholesale sale of food, beverages and newspapers in non-specialised and specialised stores

2. Retail sale of household consumer products necessary to maintain the safety and sanitation of residences and businesses

3. Pharmacies/Chemists and retailers providing pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical or dispensing services

4. Retail sale of selling medical and orthopaedic goods in specialised stores

5. Fuel stations and heating fuel providers

6. Retail sale of essential items for the health and welfare of animals, including animal feed and medicines, animal food, pet food and animal supplies including bedding

7. Laundries and Drycleaners

8. Banks, Post Offices and Credit Unions

9. Retail sale of safety supply stores (work clothes, Personal Protective Equipment, for example)

Businesses that can only offer emergency call-out or delivery services

The following retailers who offered emergency call-out or delivery services could continue to operate but on that basis ONLY.

These included:

• opticians/optometrists
• retailers involved in the repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycle repair and related facilities (tyre sales and repairs for example)
• hardware stores, builder’s merchants and stores that provide hardware products necessary for home and business maintenance, sanitation and farm equipment, supplies and tools essential for gardening/farming/agriculture
• retail sale of office products and services for individuals working from home and for businesses
• retailers providing electrical, IT and phone sales, repair and maintenance services for home.