Health Service Executive CEO Paul Reid has said people could not go and visit elderly parents on Mother's Day on Sunday as "they could not relax the rules for one day".
Mr Reid said that Ireland is fighting a war against a very silent and dangerous enemy. He added that he was very conscious this was an anxious time as the country entered into an uncertain, unprecedented and unpredictable phase.
Speaking at a ministerial briefing this morning, Mr Reid urged communities to come together to look after the vulnerable and to support healthcare workers.
He said the HSE could mind the sick but they needed neighbours and friends to step up also. Galway East TD said his 94-year-old mother is "very happy, because she's doing something for Ireland