Northern Ireland

Coronavirus 'will put around 340,000 people out of work in Republic'

A man in a face mask walks past a man dressed as St Patrick near the Temple bar in Dublin on St Patrick's day. Picture by Niall Carson, Press Association
A man in a face mask walks past a man dressed as St Patrick near the Temple bar in Dublin on St Patrick's day. Picture by Niall Carson, Press Association A man in a face mask walks past a man dressed as St Patrick near the Temple bar in Dublin on St Patrick's day. Picture by Niall Carson, Press Association

AROUND 340,000 people in the Republic will be out of work by the end of this week because of the measures put in place to tackle the coronavirus, a leading retail body has said.

Retail Excellence has forecast that another 200,000 people will be out of work, in addition to the estimated 140,000 people who have already lost their jobs since the measures were announced by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Thursday of last week.

The body's Chief Executive David Fitzsimons called for a decree suspending all non-essential commerce, the introduction of a business boost grant, and the suspension of VAT and rate payments for a year.

Retail Excellence said the government must define what shops they believe to be essential and immediately launch health and safety plans for all shops with an emphasis on pharmacies and food outlets.

"They will soon be required to implement guidelines regarding perspex glass installation, distancing protocols, the use of gloves and masks or otherwise, infected site management," the body said.

Mr Fitzsimons said he would have to go into self-isolation himself.

"I have heart disease. After this call I will enter self-isolation. I cannot risk my life anymore," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

Meanwhile, gardaí are setting up full-time public order unit in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The unit will patrol key areas in Dublin and deal with any protests or public order issues.

A total of 100 gardaí, sergeants and inspectors will be assigned to two rotating units on 12-hour shifts.

Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy said the unit is due to go into operation today.