A government press conference on #Covid19 (separate to the daily Dept of Health one with latest stats) about to begin at Govt Buildings. Watch live on FB.com/VirginMediaNews, and more details on @virginmedianews at 8pm 
Varadkar begins with a rundown of today’s engagements and events, including phone call with @vonderleyen
🚨 Varadkar: there will be an exponential increase in the number of cases over the coming days and weeks - 30% per day - that is inevitable and cannot be stopped; it's only possible to flatten the curve in a few weeks time
We are increasing community testing, stepping up focus on contact tracing, and increasing messaging about social distancing… also maximising capacity of ventilation, but cannot say at this time whether this capacity will exceed the demand or need for it
Varadkar: a National Action Plan for Covid19 is to be published this evening, outlining actions in all sections
🚨 Varadkar: Emergency legislation being published tomorrow would give the Government enforcement powers for closures and mass gatherings, above and beyond Health Act 1947 - Govt hopes never to use it but important to have it there in case it is needed during #covid19ireland
🚨 Varadkar: Donohoe is to meet banks to discuss how people might be able to defer mortgage and loan payments, "we will be seeking forbearance" so that payments can be added to the end of the mortgage/loan term; also examining measures for renters, and childcare for health staff
🚨 Simon Coveney: Ireland now advising against ALL non-essential overseas travel, including to Great Britain, until March 29 - and imposing restrictions on ALL people arriving into Ireland, asking them to restrict movement for two weeks, and given instructions upon arrival
Simon Harris will this evening publish a letter from the Chief Medical Officer, with ten decisions made at NPHET - some are routine, others on travel; one deals with a proposal to provide emergency childcare for healthcare professionals and other healthcare workers
Harris: We don't know truthfully how many cases we might be facing in this country
🚨 New health recruitment campaign launches tomorrow. "We need you and we want you." Part-timers, students, others with skills: "The only limiting factor will be the availability of people."
🚨 New health recruitment campaign launches tomorrow. "We need you and we want you." Part-timers, students, others with skills: "The only limiting factor will be the availability of people."
Harris: New testing system effective today means people are being tested on basis of symptoms, not geography - he says this follows @DrTedros's mantra today of "test, test, test" - but people should not be calling 999 (as 4,500 people did over the weekend) seeking a test
Heather Humphreys thanks frontline retail staff who have worked so hard to keep shelves stocked, and lorry drivers who leave families late at night to travel across the continent retrieving stock
Coveney: We will ensure arrangements are made to keep supply chains moving; that means hauliers, pilots, marine … "non-essential travel effectively means people choosing to go overseas and don't need to. They shouldn't be doing that. That's now our clear health advice."
Coveney: Airlines are talking about grounding large portions of fleets, and other countries are taking unilateral action to close borders or airports. "We can't be sure they'd be able to get back."
Varadkar: "To the tens of thousands of people who have lost their jobs in the last few days, all I can do is express my sorrow… Social Welfare income support is going to be there for you, whether you're employed or self-employed… if you have skills we need you"
Varadkar: We only have firm modelling on #covid19 cases in Ireland for the next week or so, but suggestions of "around half the population is accurate… the total number of cases will be very very high. The objective is not to do the impossible, which is stop that, but spread it"
Varadkar: By the end of this month we expect around 15,000 people may have tested positive for #covid19; most of those will need little or no treatment, for those the important thing is to stay at home
Looking at hotels and private hospitals to expand number of available beds
Looking at hotels and private hospitals to expand number of available beds
Varadkar: New legislation will introduce "very specific powers for the purposes of #Covid19 only" to "prohibit some events and mass gatherings; impose travel restrictions; and detail and isolate people who are possible sources of Covid19 if the don't submit to self-isolation"
In talking about the State's approach Varadkar seems to indicate we would not go down the Italian mass-lockdown route as it does not stop new cases; he points to the Washington Post piece (washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/…) suggesting the best approach is limiting social interactions
Tony Holohan indicates the NPHET has stopped short of a recommendation to close all restaurants; he says they fulfil a vital social function but that extra guidance will be given to help them comply with the distancing protocols. Varadkar echoes similar position
Varadkar: We really want people not to get the wrong message here. "Most people who got Covid19 in China got it in their own homes!" - says it would be counterproductive to shut restaurants and hairdressers and send people home to interact in the same way
Dr Tony Holohan: As clusters become more prevalent we will report cases by county; we have not done so up until now to preserve anonymity and privacy. The measures we take will be specifically informed by the cases themselves.
Holohan: The travel advice does not discourage travel to N. Ireland mostly because it is easier to travel across the border while still observing the social distancing guidelines
Coveney spoke to Brandon Lewis today about divergent rules. "We want to try and work on that issue."
Coveney spoke to Brandon Lewis today about divergent rules. "We want to try and work on that issue."
