Taoiseach: Country can expect 30% rise in Covid-19 cases every day

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he expects an “exponential rise” in confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country every day for the next couple of weeks.

Taoiseach: Country can expect 30% rise in Covid-19 cases every day

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he expects an “exponential rise” in confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country every day for the next couple of weeks.

“The objective is to flatten the curve but the curve has to rise exponentially before it decreases.”

However, he revealed that he thought the Republic of Ireland would see a 30% rise in coronavirus cases every day.

The Taoiseach said the economic impact of Covid-19 on the country will be “severe”.

Mr Varadkar said: “Unfortunately a lot of people are going to lose their jobs and businesses will have to close.”

“The economy is going to slow down dramatically but we are confident that it will bounce back.”

“Our first priority is to help people who have lost their jobs to get the social protection they need.”

The Taoiseach said the Government will not be asking restaurants and cafes to close.

“When it comes to restaurants, we will always act on the advice of the public health professionals and if they tell us to close that is certainly something we will do but that is not what they are saying at the moment.”

He added that unemployment will rise here due to Covid-19 with up to 140,000 people estimated be out of work due to the pubs, bars and creches closing.

Tens of thousands of people will be laid off and we will see unemployment rising again to a level we haven’t seen in 13 or 14 years.

“I want to say to those people who have lost their jobs, support is there for you – whether you’re unemployed or self-employed,” he said.

Mr Varadkar said the Government will work hard to ensure measures will be taken so that people who have lost their jobs can pay their mortgages and rent.

All Irish residents have been urged not to travel overseas.

Tánaiste Simon Coveney said the National Public Health Emergency Team has recommended that all Irish citizens be advised against all non-essential travel overseas from now until March 29.

The guidance includes the UK but not Northern Ireland.

He said: “Distinguishing between countries is increasingly difficult because of the rapid pace of the spread of the virus.

“We don’t want Irish people stranded in different parts of the world and Europe unable to get home.”

Mr Coveney said the travel restrictions are going to be imposed on everyone who enters the Republic from now on. People who arrive here will be asked to restrict their movements.

He said: “It is not quite self isolation but involves significant restrictions.”

The Tánaiste said non-essential travel can be defined as – “people who are choosing to go overseas and do not need to. This is our clear health advice. We cannot be sure if they can get back and we predict there will be major disruptions to all flight activity in the coming weeks.”

“Non-essential travel should not be happening to and from this island – we want to keep people safe and we want to ensure people get back safely.”

[snippet1]987600[/snippet1]

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Record level of children and adults in emergency accommodation Record level of children and adults in emergency accommodation
Pile or group of multi colored and different sizes of colourful foil wrapped chocolate easter eggs in pink, blue, and gold. Larg Young sisters donate hundreds of Easter eggs to children's hospital
Ireland has third highest level of deaths on rural roads in EU  Ireland has third highest level of deaths on rural roads in EU 
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited