Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a whole host of restrictions for Ireland on Thursday morning as the country tackles the coronavirus threat.
His speech made in Washington DC shortly after 11am warned the Irish public that there would be more cases and that we must be prepared for more deaths.
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
