The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will meet again this morning to discuss further measures to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak in Ireland. The NPHET is concerned by the growing number of daily cases, hospital admissions and clusters of infections in nursing homes and healthcare settings. It was announced that a further 10 people died as a result of the virus yesterday, bringing the overall total number of Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland to 19.
Emergency group to meet this morning (RTE)
Dáil passes Emergency Legislation
The Dáil has passed the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill. In normal circumstances such a Bill would take months to draft, highlighting the extraordinary nature of the current situation. The Bill approves the temporary income support scheme, prevents the evictions of tenants, imposes a rent freeze, allows restaurants to become takeaways and provides for the rehiring of retired health care workers and former soldiers.
The Bill is expected to be passed by the Seanad today, the final hurdle before being signed into law.
The Bill can be read: Here
Further guidance from Revenue on the temporary income support scheme for employer can be found: Here
Dáil passes legislation giving Government emergency powers (Irish Times)