New emergency laws have come into effect to restrict people’s movements until Easter Sunday night.
The Health Minister has signed the regulations into law to stop people breaking the 2km and social distancing rules during the coronavirus emergency.
It comes after 36 people died of the virus yesterday, while there were 345 new cases.
Anyone flouting the rules could get a court fine of €2,500 or a six month jail sentence.
Simon Harris says the laws will only be used sparingly.
"This is a public health emergency - it is not a criminal justice matter.
"What we're trying to do here is continue to work all together as a people to keep each other safe, but at the same time to make sure that if anybody does decide that they know better in terms of public health advice than our Chief Medical Officer, then the Gardaí can remind them of the public health advice.
"And if they don't follow it in those very rare circumstances the Gardaí do have powers."
