Recap: Surge in cases of Covid-19 announced
The Story So Far
- Third death reported, cases here rise by 191 to 557
- First death from virus in Northern Ireland
- Italian Covid-19 death toll surpasses that of China
- Reduced Dáil passed emergency legislation
- Temporary ban on evictions planned due to coronavirus
- Leaving Cert Orals cancelled, students given full marks
- 400,000 jobs could go due to outbreak - Doherty
- Public transport passenger numbers fall by up to 75%
Join us here for live updates throughout the day for all the latest news on Covid-19 as it happens.
Chief Clinical Officer with the Health Service Executive Dr Colm Henry has said that additional stringent measures were possible, if not probable, to try to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
His comments came after the Health Service Executive said there has been a significant increase in demand for testing and testing capacity has been ramped up.
Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time last night, Dr Henry said there were what he called pinch points in the system at the moment, but that anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 should self-isolate, pending testing.
The Dáil will meet this afternoon to pass emergency legislation to combat the Covid-19 crisis.
The Health Preservation and other Emergency Measures Bill is set to pass all stages in the Oireachtas this week.
This legislation has two major components.
The first are the financial measures to pay people illness benefits if they are infected by the Coronavirus. There is also a payment if people lose their job as a result of the spread of the virus.
The new laws will allow government shut down mass gatherings and to potentially order groups of people in certain areas to stay in their homes.
There are regulations too that would allow for the detention of a person, on foot of a medical recommendation, if they refuse to self-isolate.
Australia and New Zealand have moved to seal off their borders, announcing unprecedented bans on entry for non-residents in the hope of stemming the rise of Covid-19 infections.
Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the ban on anyone who is not a citizen or permanent resident coming to Australia "will be in place from 9pm tomorrow evening".
A similar measure was announced by his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern, who acknowledged: "I recognise how extraordinary this is. In no time in New Zealand's history has a power like this been used."
Australia and New Zealand have announced a slew of restrictions to tackle the pandemic, but have so far stopped short of closing schools or instituting wider-ranging lockdowns.
Australia currently has 642 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with the total doubling roughly every three days. New Zealand has 28 cases.
A planned state visit to Britain by the emperor and empress of Japan in June has been postponed due to the virus and will be rescheduled at a later date, Buckingham Palace has said.