A significant new block of restrictions to tackle the Coronavirus will be announced by government later.
Cabinet Ministers have been meeting today to sign off on new measures following advice from the National Health Emergency Team.
There are now 1,125 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in this country, nine of those in Clare, while six people have died from COVID 19.
As part of efforts to slow the spread of the virus, significant new restrictions will be announced by the government later today, which means that more businesses will close, from tomorrow.
Many shops, cafes, hairdressers and restaurants have already shut their doors, but there will be more instruction on what businesses are deemed non-essential.
Further restrictions on gatherings in public places like parks and beaches will also be announced, and while it’s expected the measures won’t go as far as the UK, there will be a significant tightening of movement.
The Cabinet is meeting at the moment and we’re expecting the full announcement around 3 or 4 o’clock.
Speaking on the way into Government Buildings, Minister Simon Harris says there will also be an update on existing measures.
The Sinn Féin leader insists that the suspension of all non essential business is crucial in controlling the spread of coronavirus.
Mary Lou McDonald has told has told Clare Fm’s Morning Focus, that while this would be costly, the Government has to learn from the experiences of the worst hit countries.
Schools are likely to stay closed for longer as part of the new government restrictions.
They were due to reopen next week but it’s believed the closure could last a number of weeks.
President of the ASTI, Deirdre McDonald, says secondary school teachers are continuing to teach.
Pharmacists are urging people not to panic buy, should further restrictions be implemented to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Medicine distributor and wholesaler United Drug has had to take on more staff and other measures to deal with demand.
Irish Pharmacy Union General Secretary Darragh O’Loughlin says wholesalers struggled to keep up with demand from pharmacies.
