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Post by Admin on Sept 19, 2020 7:27:10 GMT
The Irish government on Friday announced strict new COVID-19 restrictions for the capital Dublin, banning indoor restaurant dining and advising against all non-essential travel, after a surge in cases in recent days. Ireland, which was one of the slowest countries in Europe to emerge from lockdown, has seen average daily case numbers roughly double in the past two weeks and significant increases in those being treated for the virus in hospitals. "Here in the capital, despite people's best efforts over recent weeks, we are in a very dangerous place," prime minister Micheal Martin said in a televised address to the country, announcing the restrictions. "Without further urgent and decisive action, there is a very real threat that Dublin could return to the worst days of this crisis." The measures, which include a ban on indoor events, will last for three weeks, he said. Ireland had the 17th highest COVID-19 infection rate out of 31 European countries monitored by the European Centre for Disease Control on Friday, with 57.4 cases per 100,000 people in the past 14 days. The government reported three deaths from the virus on Friday, bringing the total toll to 1,792. Countries across Europe, including Britain, Greece and Denmark, on Friday announced new restrictions to curb surging coronavirus infections in some of their largest cities. Ireland on Thursday tightened its COVID-19 travel restrictions by imposing quarantines on travellers from major holiday markets Italy and Greece.
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Post by Admin on Oct 21, 2020 6:06:44 GMT
Ireland will be the first European country to return to a nationwide shutdown as COVID-19 cases rise, Prime Minister Micheal Martin said Monday. Nonessential retail businesses are ordered to close. Residents are expected to stay within about 3 miles of their homes, except for work and other essential activities. The country is entering its highest level of coronavirus restrictions for six weeks, beginning Thursday. The country expects 150,000 people to lose their jobs over the next "couple of days," Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said. "We're making a preemptive strike against the virus, acting before it's too late," Varadkar said during a news conference Monday. "Our objective is to change the structure of the virus to flatten the curve again to get it under control." The government told residents to stay home and exercise only within 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) of their homes. Police will continue to use road checkpoints to deter longer and nonessential journeys. Varadkar said there will be a penalty for travel beyond that distance, but he added that details are being finalized. There will be exemptions for work and essential purposes. Ireland has seen some 51,000 confirmed cases and more than 1,850 deaths, according to the nation's Department of Health. The total number of cases in the country has risen by 75% since the beginning of September, and the 14-day infection rate is 261 cases for every 100,000 people. The country has a population of nearly 5 million. Bars and restaurants will be allowed to offer only takeout services, but schools and essential stores will remain open. Martin said some people, including adults living alone and parents who share custody of a child, could "link up" with another household to avoid social isolation. The government estimates the costs for unemployment benefits and grants to support the economy to be about 200 million euros ($237 million) per week, Varadkar said. Over six weeks, the estimate is about 1.5 billion euros ($1.77 billion), he said. That's not taking into account the potential drop in tax revenue from business closures. "To business people, who will have to close their shops, gyms, restaurants and pubs tomorrow, I want you to know that you've done nothing wrong," Varadkar said. "We're going to help you through this by ensuring that there's a weekly grant for every week that you're closed, based on your turnover in 2019."
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