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  6.  » Coronavirus: Ireland put in lockdown as Varadkar asks nation to ‘forego freedoms’

Sharon Marris – Sky News March 28, 2020

Leo-Varadkar (right) with civil ‘partner’. Click to enlarge

Ireland has been put under similar lockdown measures to the UK following three more coronavirus-related deaths.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said residents should stay home until at least 12 April unless they are buying groceries, attending medical appointments or collecting medication, getting brief exercise or making essential family visits.

Almost all shops will be told to close and all gatherings outside of families will be banned.

Public transport will be available only to essential workers and nobody should travel beyond 2km (1.2 miles) from their homes for any reason, he added.

Those over the age of 70 or with chronic diseases will be told to stay in their homes without exception over the period, which begins at midnight.

Mr Varadkar said: “Freedom was hard won in our country, and it jars with us, to restrict and limit individual liberties, even temporarily. But freedom is not an abstract concept.

“We give it meaning every single day – in the way we live our lives – and in the decisions we take willingly to protect our loved ones.

“So I am asking people to give meaning to our freedom and liberty by agreeing to these restrictions. Restricting how we live our lives so that so that others may live.

“I am asking us for a time, to forego our personal liberties and freedoms for a greater cause.

“Tonight I am appealing to every man, woman and child in our country to make these sacrifices – not out of self-interest but for each other.

“To begin each day knowing that every single imposition, every inconvenience, every irritation will save lives and help our health service cope.

“The whole world is suffering during this pandemic, and Ireland is no different.

“What happens now is up to each one of us.”

The measures come after three more deaths thought to be as a result of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by coronavirus. One of the victims was a healthcare worker.

According to data compiled by US university Johns Hopkins, there are 2,121 coronavirus cases in Ireland, with 22 deaths recorded

Schools had already been closed, along with universities, pubs and most non-essential shops but, despite this, Mr Varadkar has previously warned that the country’s intensive care units would be at capacity within a few days.

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