Members of the gardai will receive “spit hoods” to protect officers from catching the deadly coronavirus.
These hoods are currently in use in the Irish prison system and other international police services.
A garda spokesman said: “Garda management continuously considers various forms of additional PPE which could be deployed to operational Gardaí.
“'Spit Hoods' which are currently on issue to the Irish Prison Service, and other international Police services, are currently being procured.
“'Spit Hoods' will be deployed, as a temporary measure for the duration of the COVID-19 public health situation.
“Policy, including the extent of deployment, and training for this form of PPE will be provided prior to issuing any items.”
The news comes following reports of twisted thugs filming themselves coughing or spitting at people while out walking or shopping and then posting the videos on social media.
In one incident a woman was shopping in a south Dublin supermarket Monday morning at around 10:30am when a man approached her, made a comment about her wearing a face mask and then coughed in her face.
In another shocking incident, an elderly man with special needs was standing at a bus stop in Bray on Monday when two teenagers approached him and coughed in his face.
Health Minister Simon Harris has blasted the "disgusting" social media games and admitted he too had been the victim of such behaviour, with two people coughing at him in the street on Tuesday.
For the latest news and breaking news visit dublinlive.ie/news.
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @DublinLive - the official Dublin Live Twitter account - real news in real time.
We're also on Facebook/dublinlive - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the capital.
