The Taoiseach has warned that "hundreds of thousands of jobs could be lost if the country is forced to return to Lockdown.
Micheál Martin this evening confirmed that the entire country will move to Level Three coronavirus restrictions.
It comes after Cabinet rejected the National Public Health Emergency Team’s (NPHET) recommendation to move to Level Five.
Speaking outside Government Buildings this evening, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin said ministers agreed that the potential implications of moving to a full lockdown at this stage are “severe and very different from those we faced earlier this year.”
“It could involve the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs, with these concentrated in families and communities that are already experiencing difficulties,” he said.
“An immediate, comprehensive lockdown would make it much harder to deal with non-COVID health concerns including the impact of isolation on the mental health of many of our people.”
No organised indoor gatherings should take place. Organised outdoor gatherings are permitted, up to a maximum of 15 people.
— MerrionStreet.ie #StaySafe #HoldFirm (@merrionstreet) October 5, 2020
He insisted that the country is now in a very different position to one we were in when the outbreak began.
“The economic, social and non-COVID health impacts of the response must be different now,” he said.
“Businesses are beginning to recover and vital public health services are still backlogged.
“Severe restrictions now would have a very damaging impact which those services and businesses may not be able to recover from.”
People should remain in their county (i.e. they must not leave to travel either domestically or internationally), with the exception of those who must travel for work, education and other essential purposes.
People are asked to work from home unless absolutely necessary.
— MerrionStreet.ie #StaySafe #HoldFirm (@merrionstreet) October 5, 2020
The entire country will now move to Level Three from midnight tomorrow until October 27th.
Meanwhile, policing of the restrictions will be stepped up, with greater garda enforcement of the ban on travel between counties and on the other measures in place for businesses, restaurants and cafes.
It means social and family gatherings will be banned and people will only be allowed visitors from one other household.
Restaurants, bars and café’s will be allowed to remain open; however, they will only be permitted to serve customers outdoors or through takeaway.
You are asked to walk or cycle where possible so that public transport is available for use by essential workers and for essential work only.
— MerrionStreet.ie #StaySafe #HoldFirm (@merrionstreet) October 5, 2020
People will be banned from leaving their home county, unless they are travelling for work, transport or other essential reasons.
Public transport will be reserved essential workers and purposes and will be limited to 50% capacity.
“The evidence is very clear that most people are following guidelines in limiting their activities and reducing the risk that they might spread or catch the virus; however, there is also no doubt that others are taking a more lax attitude,” said Mr Martin.
“Whether it is inviting others to our homes or how we behave setting, the virus is spreading because people are allowing it to spread.”
All remaining counties to join Donegal and Dublin on Level 3 under Ireland’s Plan for Living with COVID-19 - https://t.co/jg4FvSWREB pic.twitter.com/sn0ihp3ujB
— MerrionStreet.ie #StaySafe #HoldFirm (@merrionstreet) October 5, 2020
The Taoiseach said the virus has already challenged us all “to our very core” but said we have shown in the past that we can be resilient as a country.
“If we all act now, we can stop the need to go further and introduce Level Four and Level Five restrictions,” he said.
“The most important thing for all of us to understand is that what will happen next rests in our own hands and in our responsibility to each other.
“Whether or not you are afraid of the virus, every one of us can have an impact on the lives of others.
“The spirit of community and caring for others lies at the heart of what is best in the Irish character.
Now, as much as ever before, we have to recommit ourselves to this spirit.”
