LATEST: One further death and 432 new cases of virus, motorists warned to expect traffic delays

One more person has died after contracting the coronavirus as 432 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.

The overall death toll as a result of the virus now stands at 1,811. There are now 38,973 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country, according to the latest daily briefing from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

The breakdown of the latest cases is as follows: 111 are in Dublin, 51 in Donegal, 41 in Cork, 32 in Clare with the remaining 197 located across 20 other counties.

The latest cases were confirmed as the entire country prepares to go into Level 3 lockdown.

From midnight tonight, more than 2,500 gardaí will be on duty at checkpoints on major routes across the country to restrict people’s movements.

Gardaí warned traffic jams are “inevitable” and that non-essential journeys will be disrupted. They also said movement will be difficult as people are being asked to stay within their own counties.

The Government is not giving gardaí any additional powers to enforce the new restrictions, so if people do not break other laws, then gardai can only “engage, educate and encourage” them to comply.

In a statement earlier today, Garda Commissioner Harris said he was confident people will comply with the regulations and that gardaí did not need new laws to enforce the restrictions.