Irish taoiseach says new measures aimed at ‘saving as many people’s lives as possible’
The Irish government has announced sweeping restrictions that will put Ireland in a de facto lockdown to try to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said on Friday evening that from midnight people should stay at home for two weeks, until 12 April, in a significant tightening of curbs on social and commercial life.
People will be allowed to leave home to shop for food and exercise briefly within 2km of their homes, he said in a televised address from Government Buildings in Dublin.
All public or private gatherings are banned, as are visits to hospitals and prisons, with some exceptions on compassionate grounds. People aged over 70 and vulnerable groups must “cocoon”, and travel to offshore islands will be limited to residents.
There are concessions for farming, travel to and from essential work that cannot be done from home, caring for elderly or vulnerable people, and collecting medicine and attending medical appointments.
“I’m appealing to every man, woman and child to make these sacrifices for the love of each other ... show that you care for your family and friends: stay home,” said Varadkar.
He declined to use the term lockdown but said the measures were drastic. “There isn’t much more we could do beyond this to restrict movement. These are radical actions aimed at saving as many people’s lives as possible in the days and weeks ahead.”
The measures broadly align Ireland with the UK and tighten a gradual shutdown that began with closures of schools and universities on 13 March and widened to include most businesses and a ban on sporting events.
“Our country is rising to this challenge, and I’m convinced we will prevail,” said Varadkar.
Earlier on Friday health authorities announced the pandemic had claimed three more lives – including that of a health worker – bringing Ireland’s death toll to 22. Another 302 cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of infections to 2,121.
That total is lower than authorities had predicted for this phase but there is deep concern that intensive care units are already nearing capacity and could be overwhelmed.
Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer, said day-on-day increases have slowed, suggesting restrictions are working, but added that this did not mean the worst was over. “It tells us we are having early impact. We think now is the time for us to move, to try and spend two weeks to really suppress this virus as much as is possible in the community.”
The president, Michael D Higgins, signed into law an emergency measures bill that gives the government extensive powers to combat the pandemic and cushion the economy.