Many people are ignoring advice that will save lives.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is considering seeking emergency powers to enforce mass gathering rules after pubs and patrons flouted the rules on Saturday night.
Video footage from pubs across the country showed that many pubs were not enforcing social distancing protocols, nor preventing gatherings of more than 100 people.
These steps were announced by the government on Thursday in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus.
“No indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people applies to pubs & clubs. Have asked NPHET for further expert guidance on this. May seek enforcement powers from Dáil/Seanad.”
No indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people applies to pubs & clubs. Have asked NPHET for further expert guidance on this. May seek enforcement powers from Dail/Seanad.
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) March 15, 2020
Varadkar also said that anyone who was out in a pub this weekend should now avoid any contact with seniors or people with underlying conditions.
In a statement issued on Twitter yesterday, Minister for Health Simon Harris hit out at those gathered in pubs: “Not far from here, nurses & doctors are working to prepare for the impact of a global pandemic. Everyone is working 24/7. This is an insult to their efforts. There is very clear public health advice. Follow it. All options will be kept under constant review.”
Yesterday saw the biggest single-day increase in Irish cases of the disease with 39 new cases confirmed. A second person has also died from the virus in the Republic of Ireland.
Across the island, there are now 163 confirmed cases.
Not far from here, nurses & doctors are working to prepare for the impact of a global pandemic. Everyone is working 24/7. This is an insult to their efforts. There is very clear public health advice. Follow it. All options will be kept under constant review #CoronaVirusUpdates https://t.co/XQvJ7tC13D
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) March 14, 2020
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