As of midnight on Saturday, Clare citizens have effectively been ordered to stay indoors except for a few clearly identified circumstances.
The announcement was made during a televised address from Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar.
All public and private gatherings outside of a single household are also prohibited in the most stringent attempt so far to deal with the Corona virus.
People will be allowed to leave their homes to travel to essential work, to travel to medical appointments, to shop for food or medical necessities or for vital family reasons, for example providing care to a vulnerable person.
Exercise can be taken outdoors but only singly and within 2km of your home.
Non essential shops and services will close and all non-essential surgery will be postponed. A ban on visiting hospitals and other health facilities is in place except on compassionate grounds.
A list of essential businesses will be published later today and some shops will be restricted to call out and delivery services only.
The Gardai will be policing these new rules and it’s expected that a highly visible Garda presence will be put in operation immediately.
Motoring editor - The Clare Champion
Former Chairman and voting member of Irish Motoring Writers' Association