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The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) reported another 432 confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday night.
This brings the total number of cases of the disease in the Republic to 38,973.
Nphet reported one more death, bringing the total number of deaths to 1,811.
The latest figures come just hours before the introduction of the statewide Level 3 restrictions under the government’s phased plan to address the spread of Covid-19.
In a statement, Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan said: “It is essential that there is a broad social effort in the coming weeks. Each of us has the power to interrupt the spread of this virus and now is a vital time to use it.
“Focus on what you can do; wash your hands regularly, wear a face cover, stay away from others, avoid crowds, limit your social network, know the symptoms and what to do if you experience them or are a close contact of a confirmed case.
The statement was Dr. Holohan’s first public comment since he and other members of Nphet were publicly criticized by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar for the way they had recommended the state to move to Level 5 to curb the spread of the coronavirus. His advice was rejected by the cabinet on Monday.
Of the most recent cases, 62% are under 45 years old and 48% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case.
Some 111 of the cases occurred in Dublin, 51 in Donegal, 41 in Cork, 32 in Clare, and the remaining 197 were in 20 counties.
Earlier, Justice Minister Helen McEntee confirmed that there would be no additional powers for the gardaí to enforce Level 3 restrictions to be introduced across the country from midnight for three weeks.
Ms McEntee said that gardaí still had the power to prosecute organizers of indoor or outdoor meetings over the limits. These indicate no more than six people from another household or no more than 25 people at a wedding.
His comments come after Tánaiste Leo Varadkar appeared to suggest Monday night that execution powers would be granted to gardaí.
Varadkar said he told RTÉ’s Claire Byrne Live on Monday night that moving all 26 counties to Level 3 would be supported by more enforcement than is in place for Dublin and Donegal, which were already at Level 3.
“A lot of this will be in the law, including staying in your county, except for work or education or to care for someone,” he said.
When asked if Gardaí would control that provision, Mr. Varadkar replied that “the guards will come out,” adding that on Monday the government had awarded Ms. McEntee additional money to cover Garda’s overtime.
“We will update the laws, potentially to bring in a different system of fines and so on,” he added. But he did not offer any further details on the details of the app increase.
McEntee confirmed Tuesday that no new powers were being prepared for the latest phase of public health measures.
When asked about the matter on Tuesday, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said that no additional powers were required at this stage and had not been requested either.
Harris said a total of 132 fixed or permanent checkpoints would be placed daily on highways and other arterial routes across the country, beginning Wednesday morning under an expanded Operation Fanacht.
“They have to make sure that people stay in their county and only travel when absolutely necessary … or their travels would be very difficult,” Harris said.
“We will have a very visible presence mobilized and we will maintain it in the weeks.”
On the issue of house parties, Harris said they were not new to the pandemic and while Gardaí could not enter a private residence without a warrant, the arrival of Gardaí was often effective in dispersing crowds.
In Northern Ireland, another 669 coronavirus cases have been confirmed, bringing the total in the North to 15,359.
One more death from Covid-19 was recorded, bringing the total to 585 since the start of the pandemic, the North’s health department said.
In the last seven days there were 4005 cases of virus in the north. During that period, there were 962 cases in the Belfast City Hall area and 876 cases in Derry and Strabane, where more stringent Covid-19 conditions apply.
Currently there are 67 patients being treated for the virus in Northern Ireland hospitals, 13 of them in intensive care units and eight on ventilators.
The tone of Varadkar’s comments on Monday night was criticized by the opposition parties in the Dáil.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she was very alarmed by the Tánaiste’s “aggressive approach”, although she acknowledged that the call to raise the country’s restrictions to Level 5 had come “out of nowhere.”
Ms. McDonald said governments asked for advice and when they gave it “I think they take it with a certain level of maturity and grace and then make a decision.”
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