"This is the calm before the storm before the surge" - Taoiseach

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has paid tribute to the healthcare workers during the Covid-19 crisis and says that they "need us to do the right things in the weeks ahead."

"This is the calm before the storm, before the surge," he said.  

In relation to when the coronavirus emergency will end, he said that "we just don't know yet,"adding that it is likely to go on well beyond 29 March. 

He has called for people's cooperation to make social distancing workable.   

The Taoiseach says it is believed there will be 15,000 Covid-19 cases or more by the end of the month.

In a live broadcast, he said more will be required in the coming weeks to reduce the spread of the virus. 

He said that all resources, financial and human, are being deployed.  

"This is a St Patrick's Day like no other," he said.

He stated damage to the economy caused by Covid-19 and bill to fix it will be enormous.

He said that we need to halt the spread of fear, as "fear is a virus in itself".  

Deputy Varadkar added the coronavirus is already having a deep impact on jobs and the economic activity and will continue to do so. He says that once we are through the worst,

"We will get people back to work and get businesses open again."

View his address to the nation at the following link:

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