Following the escalation of restrictions on business and personal movement in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak, the government has released an updated list of essential services which will permitted to remain open during the restricted period (currently until April 12th).
 
The government has decided that everyone should stay at home until 12 April 2020, except for the following situations:

Below is copy via EFCEM’s membership of ORGALIM. It contains details regarding the free movement of goods, border control measures, financial and accounting developments across the EU in relation to the COVID-19 crisis:

COVID-19 Crisis
The European Union has developed a series of actions to fight and overcome the sudden sanitary, economic and social crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.


These were presented on Friday 13 March by the European Commission in a Communication on a Coordinated economic response to the COVID-19 Outbreak, outlining a series of measures to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic, using all the instruments at its disposal, in order:  

• To ensure the necessary supplies to the EU’s health systems by preserving the integrity of the Single Market and of production and distribution of value chains;
• To support people so that income and jobs are not affected disproportionately and to avoid permanent effects of this crisis;
• To support firms and ensure that the liquidities of the EU’s financial sector can continue to support the economy and
• To allow Member States to act in a coordinated way, through using the full flexibility of the EU’s State Aid and Stability and Growth Pact Frameworks.

The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme will be available to employers who keep employees on the payroll throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning employers can retain links with employees for when business picks up after the crisis. Additionally, the operation of the scheme will reduce the burden on the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) which is dealing with the other Covid-19 related payments.

Revenue have issued guidance documents on the operation of the scheme..

In its quarterly Spring Economic Commentary, the ESRI said that if Government measures to combat the spread of the virus remain in place for a 12 week period, the economy would shrink by 7.1% this year.
The labour market, which had been in a position of strength before the spread of the pandemic, is also set to face the largest quarterly shock in living memory, according to the ESRI. 

• ​Cafés and restaurants are limited to takeaways and deliveries only.
• All sporting events are cancelled - including those behind closed doors.
• All theatres, clubs, gyms, leisure centres and hair salons are to be shut.
• Places of worship are to restrict numbers visiting and no unnecessary travel should take place in the country or overseas, now or during the Easter break.

​ At present, people need to stay at home and only leave to:

• go to work if it is essential to do so and you cannot work from home
• go to the shops for essential supplies
• care for others
• exercise

The economic impact of COVID-19 will have a number of ramifications  for IFSA member companies, from supply chain disruptions to workforce shortages and even liquidity issues.
             
IFSA has already written to the major Irish Trade Bodies to request that communication lines be kept open between customers and suppliers and based on your feedback to this survey we will further represent the interests of the sector to influence Irish and EU Government and industry trade organisations.
 
Please provide us with a view of the most relevant effects for your company and sector via the short survey below. This should take no more than 10 minutes of your time.
 
All answers are treated with the strictest confidence. Thank you in anticipation of your support, we need all members to respond if possible.
 
The survey will be closing on 30th March.
 
Stay safe and thank you for your support. 
 
The IFSA Team   

IFSA has issued communications to all major trade associations across Ireland's hospitality sector including the ITIC, IHF, VFI, RAI, CMAI and BAI to relay the critical need for open communication between customers and suppliers as the realities of the effects of COVID-19 begin to surface.