*Gardaí carrying out a checkpoint in Ennis on Thursday. Photograph: John Mangan
COVID-19 restrictions on the movement of the Irish public have been extended by three weeks.
Originally scheduled to last until April 17th, it comes as no surprise that these regulations have been extended. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (FG) confirmed on Friday afternoon that they will remain in place until Tuesday May 5th.
Such restrictions will not necessarily be lifted on that date but they are not expected to be heightened in anyway. It comes on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) who held a meeting with Government officials on Friday morning.
Extra powers given to members of An Garda Síochána to police the regulations have also been extended.
Varadkar paid tribute to the public for their assistance so far by following the measures in place which are aimed to limit the spread of COVID-19. He encouraged the Irish public to “take one day at a time” and added, “your decisions will saves lives, what may be an inconvenience for some will be lifesaving for others”.
“Certainty is very much in short supply these days,” Minister for Health, Simon Harris (FG) admitted. He urged people to recognise their role in being able to save thousands of lives.
