Ireland extends Coronavirus restrictions. Schools/Universities closed until at least April 19.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced new stringent measures designed to curb the spread of Covid-19.
In an address from the Government press centre, Mr Varadkar said he was asking people to stay home, unless they could not work from home. Restrictions previously announced are being extended until Sunday 19 April. The Taoiseach also announced new restrictions regarding the closures of non-essential retail businesses and facilities effective from midnight tonight. Mr Varadkar said the impact upon the economy and employment would be enormous.
He announced that the Covid-19 unemployment payment will be raised to €350 per week and the Covid-19 self isolation payment will also be increased to €350 (376 USD).
The Taoiseach said that in order to encourage employers and companies to keep staff affected on the payroll, a wage subsidy scheme will be introduced to co-fund 70% of salaries up to a maximum of €38,000 per year.
He said a subsidy of €410 will be available for a wage subsidy scheme.
The Taoiseach said the self employed will also be covered.
He said the Cabinet approved a new bill this afternoon that will freeze rents, halt evictions and allow former members of the Defence forces to rejoin.
A rundown of the new restrictions announced today.
Minister for Health Simon Harris said the State would take control of private hospitals for the duration of the crisis and that patients with the virus will be treated for free with no distinction between public and private.
All theatres, clubs, gyms, leisure centres, hairdressers, marts, markets casinos, bingo halls, betting shops, libraries and other similar places are to shut.
All hotels and non-essential retail outlets will close - a list of those will be provided.
All cafes and restaurants should limit to take away and deliveries only.
All sporting events are cancelled - including those behind closed doors.
All playgrounds and holiday/caravan parks are to close.
All places of worship are to restrict numbers visiting.
All household contacts of someone waiting for a test should restrict their movements.
All non-essential visiting to other persons homes should be avoided.
All scheduled cruise ships to Ireland will cease.
Factories or construction sites should not have to shut - authorities can work with them to make sure physical distancing is possible.
There will be an increased presence of park rangers and gardaí in parks and public places to ensure that physical distancing is being observed.
Significantly raise the amount of money available on cashless card transactions.
All organised indoor and outdoor events of any size are not to take place
Social distancing, in as far as practicable, is to be ensured between the clients/patients in confined settings, such as:
long term care facilities, either for the elderly or people with special needs;
psychiatric institutions;
homeless shelters
prisons
Priority testing for health staff, including GPs, will be introduced.
General health testing will be increased for those with symptoms.
More at
https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2020/0324/1124966-cabinet-coronavirus/