Ireland closes all schools, colleges and nurseries and bans outdoor gatherings with more than 500 people amid coronavirus outbreak
All schools, colleges and nurseries will be closed across Ireland until March 29 amid a growing coronavirus outbreak.
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar made the dramatic announcement in a speech given outside Blair House in Washington DC, where he is due to meet with Donald Trump later today.
He added that under the emergency measures, which will take effect from 6pm today, teaching will be done online and state-run ‘cultural institutions’ will close.
It comes as the first death linked to COVID-19 was recorded in the Republic on Wednesday, amid 43 confirmed cases of the infection.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said ‘schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close from tomorrow’ in a speech outside Blair House in Washington DC (pictured)
Indoor events of more than 100 people and those outdoor involving over 500 ‘should be cancelled’, he added.
Anyone entering Ireland will be informed of the measures and asked to self-isolate if they are displaying any symptoms of the rapidly spreading virus.
Working from home will be encouraged but where people do congregate in offices break times should be ‘staggered’.
The Taoiseach added that shops, cafes and restaurants can remain open across Ireland.
Mr Varadkar said: ‘People should seek to reduce social interactions as much as possible.’