Ireland announces strict six-week lockdown as Covid-19 cases surge

 

Ireland will be the first EU country to return to coronavirus lockdown, Prime Minister Micheal Martin said Monday, issuing a nationwide "stay at home" order but insisting schools will stay open.Measures coming into effect in Ireland for six weeks from midnight on Wednesday will see all non-essential retail businesses close and pubs and restaurants limited to takeaway or delivery service only.

"Everyone in the country is being asked to stay at home," the prime minister said in a televised national address.

Only essential workers will be "permitted to travel to work", he said, and citizens will be allowed out to exercise only within five kilometres (three miles) of their residence.

The government warned in a statement that "there will be a penalty" for violating the five-kilometre restriction and that public transport will operate at 25 percent capacity to serve essential workers only.