Taoiseach Leo Varadkar today announced a raft of restrictions for the country as Ireland tries to tackle the coronavirus threat.
The Fine Gael leader made a speech announcing the new emergency measures this morning after a series of late night briefings last night with officials and senior advisers.
In a rallying call to the people today from Blair House, beside the White House in Washington DC where he was meeting US President Donald Trump, he declared: “We will prevail.”
Here is what was announced today.
The closure measures will be in force from 6pm on Thursday, March 11 until Sunday, March 29.
All schools, colleges and childcare facilities are to close
Cultural institutions, like museums, will close as well
Teaching will be done online or remotely, where possible
All indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor mass gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled
People should work from home if possible but they can still go to work - however break times and working times should be staggered and meetings done remotely, or by phone
Ports and airports will NOT close but those passing through will be fully informed and told to self isolate if they are showing symptoms
Public transport will continue to operate
Shops, restaurants and cafes will remain open, "but should look at ways they can implement public health advice on social distancing"
"As a general rule, outside of work people should seek to reduce social interactions as much as possible"
Everyone should continue washing their hands, coughing or sneezing into their elbows or a tissue and seek medical advice if they have symptoms
