COVID-19 CRISIS: Taoiseach announces raft of measures of combat Covid-19

All non-essential retail outlets will close as of midnight tonight as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a swathe of new Covid-19 restrictions at a press conference this afternoon.

From midnight tonight, all theatres, clubs, gyms and hairdressers have been ordered to shut. Restaurants have been ordered to restrict their services to take-away only. 

The government advises that outside gatherings should consist of no more than four people. The restrictions have been extended by a further three weeks until Sunday 19 April. 

"All theatres, clubs, gyms, leisure centres, hairdressers, betting offices, marts, markets, casinos, bingo halls libraries, and other similar outlets are to shut while all hotels to limit occupancy to essential non-social and non-tourist reasons," said the Taoiseach.

"All non-essential retail outlets are to close to members of the public, and all other retail outlets, are to implement physical distancing. A list of essential retail outlets and stores is being provided.  All cafes and restaurants should limit supply to takeaways and deliveries only. All sporting events are cancelled, including those held behind closed doors." 

Horseracing had been carrying on without the public and strict limits attending the tracks but that has now been stopped.

"All playgrounds and holiday caravan parks will close.  All places of worship are to restrict numbers entering at any one time to ensure adequate physical distancing. All organised social indoor and outdoor events of any size are not to take place, the Taoiseach continued.

"Gardai will increase interventions where venues are not in compliance with or where groups of people are not adhering to recommended social distancing. All household contacts of a suspect case - that is somebody waiting on a test or a test result should restrict their movements, until the test is reported as negative or 14 days after the onset of symptoms, whichever is the shorter. 

"Individuals should work from home, unless attendance at the workplace is absolutely essential. And social gatherings of individuals outdoors should be of no more than four people unless all are from the same household.
All non-essential indoor visits to other person's homes should be avoided. All crowded places including public amenities should be avoided as well. And all sheduled cruise ship travel to Ireland will cease."

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said this was a time of unprecedented upheaval for the country and said the emergency measures for workers would cost the economy over €3.7bn.

Minister Donohue said the new pandemic payment will be available to all employers who suffer either a minimum of 25% decline in turnover and inability to pay normal wages and outgoings and other circumstances as will be set as in Revenue guidelines.

"For the next 12 weeks, such employers will be supported in the order of 70% of an employee's income, and the maximum weekly tax free payment will be €410 per employee," commented Minister Donohoe 

This is, as the Taoiseach said earlier, equivalent to 70% of the net weekly income for someone on €38,000 per annum. For those earning between €38,000 euro and €76,000 euro, the subsidy will be capped at €350 and implemented for guidance to be prepared by the revenue commission. So this will provide tapered support up to €76,000. And I am making this decision, through Government in recognition of the scale of this economic shock and the factor could impact on many sectors, and many different kinds of jobs. 

(click here for full information on the Covid-19 payment details)

"The Government also agreed today to increase the rate of the weekly emergency payment. And this was done, because we have a clear duty to those who have just lost their job and experienced a massive and very sudden change in living standards. 

Front page of today's (Tuesday) Meath Chronicle

"We are in exceptional times. The health of our people and ensuring we remain safe is our number one priority. So this strategy recognises the consequences of our public health challenge that lays the foundations for economic recovery. The measures that the Government is taking today aim to deliver them. They are designed to provide comfort, to provide reassurance to concerned citizens at a time of unprecedented economic risk. The government estimates that these measures will cost approximately €3.7 billion for a 12 week period. This is an estimate, the cost will vary in response to the breadth, and nature of the shock.

"And this is an emergency measure it will not pass the 12 weeks. there will clearly be a significant impact on the public finances as a result of the scale of this intervention. But we must act now to avoid an even greater economic challenge in the future. 

"This response, through our expenditure policy is crucial in dealing with this challenge. It will require a significant increase in our borrowing requirement in the years ahead. However, we entered this crisis in a position of real strength, our debt profile has improved significantly over the past five years. 

"Our prudent management of the public finances has enhanced our sovereign credit rating. Supporting a proportion of the income of our citizens are thereby retaining the job, retaining a relationship with the employer, during this crisis is the right and proper response. The government has acted, and will act this week, assuming the passage of required legislation. And this is because in these days, in these months of adversity, the care, the protection of our citizens, is our abiding concern."