The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says from midnight tonight until April 12th, everybody must stay at home.

This is unless they must go to work which is essential and cannot be done from home.

People can also go outside to shop, to attend medical appointments, and for vital family reasons like caring for children and the elderly.

Exercise should be done within two kilometres of where you live, and should be done alone.

All gatherings, both public and private, are banned.

Public transport will be restricted for essential workers.

And more non-essential shops will also be closed.

Gardaí will be out patrolling and can fine people.

There is also to be cuccooning measures for the elderly, given that 79 has been the median age of those who have died so far.

People over 70 who are high risk should stay at home and put in place arrangements for people to check on them and make sure they have food and medicine.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar gives a coronavirus updated from the Government press centre at Government Buildings | Image: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie/POOL

In an address on Friday, Mr Varadkar again thanked all those involved in halting the spread.

He said: "Once again, thank you to everyone working as part of this great national effort. Our country is rising to this challenge and I believe we will prevail".

"We have seen the numbers of people falling ill increase every day. We believe now is the time for further action".

"Transmission in the community now accounts for more than half of all cases."

Health Minister Simon Harris added: "We most stay home in all but the most limited circumstances. Older people and those most vulnerable must stay home altogether."

"We have to accept these difficult restrictions now. If we take these decisions now, we may not have to live with them as long as we otherwise might."

"Last night you all stood and applauded our health care workers, tonight we are asking you to stand with them again - and stay at home."

The Chief Medial Officer Dr Tony Holohan made the recommendations at the National Public Health Emergency Team meeting earlier.

Members of An Garda Síochána have also announced plans for a major nationwide policing operation this weekend.

This will be focused on "supporting public compliance" with coronavirus health measures.

It will involve thousands of Gardaí on foot, bike and mobile patrols.

It comes after three more deaths and 302 new cases of the virus were confirmed here on Friday.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) says the deceased were one person is in the north-west of the country and two women in the east.

There have now been 22 COVID-19 related deaths here.

There are 2,121 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.