Bus Eireann preparing for coronavirus cases on services with measures in place

Bus Eireann are preparing for future coronavirus cases on their services as fears grow of the Irish outbreak.

Public transport is often seen as one of the obvious places where the virus can be spread and the national bus service are preparing internally for any such issue.

Staff, including bus drivers, at Bus Eireann are being provided with hand sanitisers and wipes to ensure best practice in the face of the deadly outbreak.

A spokesman for Bus Eireann said: "Bus Éireann continues to monitor developments around Covid-19. We are working internally to prepare contingencies in the event of further cases of Covid-19 in Ireland, on our services or in our workplaces.

Bus Eireann buses inside The Broadstone Bus Eireann depot, Dublin (Gareth Chaney Collins)

"Supplies of hand sanitising gel and wipes are being provided for all employees. We will continue to engage with and be guided by the relevant health and other government agencies to inform decisions while the Covid-19 issue continues."

So far there are nine cases of coronavirus in the island of Ireland, it has been confirmed.

The figure jumped by six on Wednesday when two people in Northern Ireland and four in the west of Ireland were confirmed to have the virus.

Two males and two females believed to be from Co Clare travelled from Northern Italy where the bug is rampant in the last two weeks.