The Taoiseach has warned that the measures taken to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic could go on for months.
In a special St Patrick’s Day address to the nation last night, Leo Varadkar said we are in the middle of a global and national emergency.
He warned that, “at some point,” the Government may ask elderly and vulnerable people to ‘cocoon’ at home for several weeks.
Mr Varadkar insisted the Irish economy will bounce back but admitted the bill will be ‘enormous.’
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There are calls for clear time-limits to be placed on the Government’s emergency COVID-19 legislation.
An emergency bill, due to make its way through the Oireachtas on Thursday will hand sweeping powers to Gardaí and State authorities.
They will give the government power to seal off parts of the country, shut down public gatherings and detain people who refuse to self-isolate.
The Irish Council of Civil Liberties said the legislation must include stronger guarantees that short-term measures will stay short-term.
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The Labour Party is calling for an emergency rent freeze and ban on evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Labour TD Duncan Smith said he will be asking for the protections to be passed at an emergency sitting of the Dáil tomorrow.
He said the COVID-19 crisis could see many tenants struggling to lay the rent in the coming weeks.
He warned that allowing them to be evicted with nowhere to go would be disastrous for them and for wider public health.
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People who are not registered with a doctor can now call any local GP if they have concerns about COVID-19 symptoms.
It comes after concerns were raised over thousands of people who do not have a regular GP.
Dr Mary Favier, President of the Irish College of General Practitioners, told Newstalk that 70% of GPs were not accepting new patients before the outbreak.
She said we are now living in exceptional times and doctors will work as hard as they can for as long as they can to tackle the crisis.
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In the US, former vice president Joe Biden has extended his lead in the race to become the Democratic nominee for the presidential election.
He beat rival Bernie Sanders in Florida, Illinois and Arizona; however, a vote in Ohio was suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The virus has now been detected in all 50 states – with over 3,600 confirmed cases and more than 100 deaths.
Mr Biden pledged to unite to Democratic Party before uniting the country if he wins the right to challenge Donald Trump for the White House.
