What you need to know about new Covid-19 restrictions

The Government is now asking people to stay at home if possible.

Here are the details:

What's new?

All non-essential retail to close.

Supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open.

Restaurants and cafes can operate only for takeaway and delivery.

Theatres, gyms, bingo halls, libraries and hairdressers to shut.

All playgrounds and caravan parks to close.

All sport cancelled.

Hotels only open for essential services.

Other essential retail outlets which can remain open

Newsagents and beverage sale shops

Opticians, specialised medical shops

Fuel stations and heating fuel providers

Repair centres for cars, bikes and motorcycles

Pet food and animal supply stores

Laundries and dry cleaners

Banks, post offices and credit unions

Safety supply stores

Hardware, gardening and building supplies shops

Office supply stores

Retailers providing electrical, IT and phone sales

Work from home unless it's essential to go to workplace

Citizens must work from home unless it's essential for them to be in work setting.

Factories and construction sites can remain open with physical distancing.

No unnecessary travel

Both inside the country and overseas.

But it's not a lockdown?

People can go outside to go to the shops, to exercise, for medical or dental appointments and to care for others. They can also travel to their workplace if it is essential for them to be there.

Schools, creches, colleges to remain closed until 19 April

Earlier restrictions extended for a further three weeks from 29 March to 19 April.

Physical distancing when outside

People should not gather in groups of more than four, unless they are from the same household. When outside, people should also maintain physical distancing.

Places of worship

Can stay open but must restrict numbers entering at any one time to ensure adequate physical distancing.

Will gardaí arrest people?

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said they hope to use new powers sparingly. The intention is that there will be a much stronger garda and park ranger presence and they will disperse groups and encourage people to move on.

Visit families

Individuals can visit families and loved ones but should do so less frequently and in small groups.

Differences between North and South

The Taoiseach said there would be some differences, such as gatherings of four people in the Republic of Ireland versus two in Northern Ireland.