A mandatory order for everyone to stay at home for a two-week period until 12 April, apart from certain exceptions, is in effect across the country.
The significantly stronger measures to boost the fight against Covid-19 came into effect at midnight, and include people only being allowed to leave home for essential work, to buy food, or for certain vital reasons such as attending medical appointments.
Shielding or 'cocooning' for all those over 70 years of age and certain categories of people who are vulnerable to Covid-19 is also being introduced.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said last night that what happens next in this public health emergency is up to each and every of us and urged people to show that they care by staying at home.