New Garda powers and tighter restrictions on gatherings as Ireland sees 190 Covid-19 cases
Gardaí will be given greater powers to inspect house gatherings and to close pubs and restaurants that breach any of the guidelines. File picture: Dan Linehan
- People aged over 70 should limit their interactions to a small network for short periods.
- All businesses should facilitate remote working.
- Visits to homes should be limited to six people and involve no more than three households.
- Outdoor gatherings will be limited to 15 people.
- Restaurant closing times restricted to 11.30pm.
- Sports events will be held behind closed doors with no social gatherings before or after.
- Public transport should be avoided where possible and face masks worn on private transport when households are mixed.
- Gardaí are to be given new powers to enforce public health measures.
- A further short to medium-term plan for the way forward will be published by the Government before September 13.
The Government has met to decide on new measures aimed at reducing the spread of Covid-19 after "multiple serious outbreaks", according to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin said we have to contain the spread of the virus, saying: "If the current increase continues, it will be impossible to stop the spread of the virus to our most vulnerable and most compromised and the virus is as deadly today as it was before."
Taoiseach says that new restrictions are not just "because of the appalling behaviour we saw at one Dublin bar". He says that too many people are acting as if the virus does not pose a threat to them.
— Paul Hosford (@PTHosford) August 18, 2020
It comes as the Health Protection Surveillance Centre confirmed another 190 cases today, up from 56 cases yesterday, bringing the total to 27,499 after four confirmed cases had been denotified overnight. There has also been one more death today meaning total number of Covid-related deaths is 1,775.
75% of cases are in people under 45 years of age while 75 cases are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case.
The HPSC also revealed that 48 cases in Kildare, 46 are in Dublin, 38 in Tipperary and 20 are in Limerick while 14 cases have been identified as community transmission.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: "We’re now seeing multiple clusters throughout the country, in people’s homes, in multiple workplaces and in a number of other social settings.
“Our 14-day cumulative cases per hundred thousand population, a key measure looked at by NPHET, is now 26 – that’s come up from four.
“Our five-day average of new cases is 116 new cases per day and rising. Today, the total number of new cases is 190.”
It was also revealed that 62% of positive tests recorded in the last fortnight have been linked to close contacts with a confirmed case.
Ireland's rate of growth is the fourth highest in Europe over the last two weeks.
The Taoiseach said: “The evidence is that a large number of people are acting as if the virus is no threat to them or that it is OK to take a few more risks.
“We are at a point where we need to recommit ourselves to key behaviours and to accept additional controls.”
He noted multiple outbreaks amongst households and in social activity settings.
Cabinet has been "robustly" debating new recommendations from NPHET since lunchtime and their recommendations include restricting movements of people over the age of 70.
People over 70 should limit interactions to a small network of people for short periods, avoid public transport and shop during designated hours.
It has also been recommended to reduce the number of people that can gather at a home to six across three households after the Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn expressed his worries over the number of house parties being reported.
Dr Glynn said that cases have been rising across the country, not just the Midlands, while we are now seeing clusters linked to sporting events.
The number of people allowed to gather at outdoor events will be limited to 15, down from 200.
Mass, religious congregation and weddings will be exempted, meaning 50 people can still attend those.
However, it means sport will be played behind closed doors.
Dr Glynn said: "This virus is not tired, just because we are," before he pleaded with the public to remember the 6/15 guidance. Don't have more than 6 people over to your home or garden or meet more than 15 outdoors.
Gardaí will be given greater powers to inspect house gatherings and to close pubs and restaurants that breach any of the guidelines, but must still close at 11.30pm.
The Cabinet has advised people to avoid public transport where possible, except for essential workers such as healthcare staff, and people are also being asked to continue working from home if they can.
People from different households are being asked to wear face coverings if they are travelling in the same vehicle together.
All these restrictions will apply until September 13. Inter-county GAA sides are due to go back training on September 14.
The focus for the Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 is now on all schools opening their doors from next week, and they will rely on public health advice when implementing that.
Arrangements for school transport will proceed as planned.
Stephen Donnelly met with the Dr Glynn last night, who in recent days has said he is concerned over the spread of the virus in the last two weeks.
There have been 393 cases in Kildare in the last 14 days.
It has been subject to a local lockdown along with Laois and Offaly, and it is expected a decision on the continuation of those will be made later this week.
Meanwhile, after restrictions have been reintroduced in Greece and Italy, one of the questions facing the Government is will changes be made to the safe travel Green List.
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