Coronavirus: Ireland 'significantly' tightens restrictions after spike in cases

The prime minister said clusters of cases are emerging as he warned people to stop flouting the rules.

Alix Culbertson

Political reporter @alixculbertson

Wednesday 19 August 2020 06:35, UK

People wearing face mask as a precautionary measure against Covid-19, carry a shopping bag as the pass a boarded-up and temporarily closed pub in Dublin, on March 25, 2020, after Ireland introduced measures to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. - Ireland's prime minister Leo Varadkar on Tuesday announced that all non-essential businesses will shut from midnight as part of the country's latest measures to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. "These are unprecedented actions to respond to an unprecedented emergency," he said, adding the measures would remain in place until at least April 19. (Photo by PAUL FAITH / AFP) (Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)
Image: Ireland's lockdown restrictions have been tightened after a spike
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Ireland's coronavirus restrictions are being "significantly" tightened after the number of cases increased rapidly over the past two weeks.

All businesses have been told to let employees work from home, new limits have been placed on outdoor gatherings, and the government has warned people to avoid public transport to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Prime Minister Micheal Martin said the new rules will be in place until at least 13 September following a spike in coronavirus cases over the last three weeks, as he blamed "a large number of people" for flouting the rules.

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Tourism concerns in Ireland

Individual schools will still be allowed to assess when they will be ready to open, but for the most part they'll be opening from end of August.

Announcing the measures, he said all state bodies responsible for monitoring cases must step up their efforts.

Mr Martin told a news conference: "We're absolutely not at a stage where we can return to normality.

"We are at another critical moment.

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"We're now seeing multiple clusters throughout the country, in people's homes, in multiple workplaces and in a number of other social settings."

Ireland's government is also considering extra legislation to give police more powers to enforce existing rules.

Bars and restaurants were shut down in Ireland in March
Image: Bars and restaurants were first shut in Ireland in March

The new measures include:

  • Outdoor gatherings limited to 15 people
  • Indoor gatherings (apart from weddings) limited to six people - down from 50
  • Restaurants must close by 11.30pm
  • Sports can only take place behind closed doors
  • Public transport should be avoided where possible
  • Those using private transport where different households are present should wear masks
  • Over-70s are asked to limit interactions, avoid public transport and shop during designated hours

For several weeks, Ireland had one of Europe's lowest infection rates, but over the past 14 days it has gone from four per 100,000 people to 26 per 100,000.

Ireland reports highest daily number of COVID-19 cases since start of May
Ireland reports highest daily number of COVID-19 cases since start of May

A total of 190 new cases were confirmed on Tuesday, Ireland's health minister Stephen Donnelly said.

He said last week Ireland had 533 cases, compared to a previous weekly low of 61.

Mr Martin added: "The evidence is that a large number of people are acting as if the virus is no threat to them or that it is okay to take a few more risks.

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"Many people seem to believe that if they or those they are socialising with have no symptoms, there is no problem.

"We are at a point where we need to recommit ourselves to key behaviours and to accept additional controls."

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