Taoiseach announces major closures to stem Covid-19 spread:
A two week shut down of school, colleges and childcare facilities will begin at 6pm today following an announcement by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this morning.
Describing the situation as a “pandemic” at a press conference in Washington DC, he said that mass indoor gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 should be cancelled. These measures have been implemented in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19.
He advised that people should work but if possible, they should work from home while meetings should be held remotely or over the phone while breaks and start times should be staggered.
Meanwhile public transport will continue to operate and shops, bars and restaurants can remain open but should act on public health advice on social distancing while teaching should be carried out online and remotely where possible. Cultural institutions will also remain closed.
Arrangements are being made so that anyone who comes through Ireland’s airports is fully informed and self isolates if they develop symptoms.
The measures will be in place until 29 March and as a general rule, it’s been advised that people should reduce their social interactions.
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “Our own national health emergency met last night and has issued new advice to Government. We’re acting on that advice today. There will be many more cases, more people will get sick and unfortunately we must face the unfortunate reality that some people will die.
“The virus is all over the world but it can be slowed, its impact can be reduced making it easier for our health service to cope and giving our scientists more time to develop better testing, treatments and vaccines.
“We have not witnessed a pandemic like this and this is unchartered territory for us. We said we would take the right actions at the right time and we have to move now to make the greatest impact,” he added.
The Cabinet will meet later today while governmental counterparts in Northern Ireland or Britain have been briefed on today’s announcement.