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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus: Republic of Ireland to close schools and colleges | Coronavirus: Republic of Ireland to close schools and colleges |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Schools, colleges and other public facilities in the Republic of Ireland are to close in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. | Schools, colleges and other public facilities in the Republic of Ireland are to close in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. |
| Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar said the measures take effect from 18:00 on Thursday to 29 March. | |
| He added that the Irish cabinet would meet later and that Northern Ireland and GB would be briefed. | |
| Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Coveney said airports and ports would remain open. | |
| Mr Varadkar said indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 should be cancelled. | |
| He added that where it is possible to work remotely people should do so. | He added that where it is possible to work remotely people should do so. |
| The first death linked to coronavirus has been recorded in the Republic of Ireland. | The first death linked to coronavirus has been recorded in the Republic of Ireland. |
| The elderly woman died in a Dublin hospital on Wednesday. | The elderly woman died in a Dublin hospital on Wednesday. |
| Mr Varadkar said schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close from Friday and said the public and businesses needed to take a sensible approach. | |
| "I know that some of this is coming as a real shock and it is going to involve big changes in the way we live our lives and I know I'm asking people to make enormous sacrifices but we're doing it for each other," Mr Varadkar said. | "I know that some of this is coming as a real shock and it is going to involve big changes in the way we live our lives and I know I'm asking people to make enormous sacrifices but we're doing it for each other," Mr Varadkar said. |
| "Our economy will suffer but it will bounce back. | "Our economy will suffer but it will bounce back. |
| "Lost time in school or college will be recovered and in time our lives will go back to normal. | "Lost time in school or college will be recovered and in time our lives will go back to normal. |
| "Ireland is a great nation, we're great people, we've experienced hardship and struggle before, we've overcome many trials in the past." | "Ireland is a great nation, we're great people, we've experienced hardship and struggle before, we've overcome many trials in the past." |
| Mr Varadkar said shops should remain open and public transport will continue to operate. | Mr Varadkar said shops should remain open and public transport will continue to operate. |
| In other developments: | |
| Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to sign off plans to move from the "containment" phase of the outbreak to "delay" at the emergency Cobra meeting later. | |
| 'Necessary and justified' | 'Necessary and justified' |
| He said the government would implement all resources, which are "substantial but not unlimited", into addressing the issue. | He said the government would implement all resources, which are "substantial but not unlimited", into addressing the issue. |
| Later, Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Coveney said the closures " will disrupt everyday activity - everyday activity that makes us who we are". | Later, Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Coveney said the closures " will disrupt everyday activity - everyday activity that makes us who we are". |
| "The actions we are announcing today are absolutely necessary and justified," he added. | "The actions we are announcing today are absolutely necessary and justified," he added. |
| "We are asking people to continue to work. | "We are asking people to continue to work. |
| "Those who go to their places of work should limit their contacts, particularly face-to-face meetings. | "Those who go to their places of work should limit their contacts, particularly face-to-face meetings. |
| "We do need to respond with calm, with unity, with discipline and resolve. | "We do need to respond with calm, with unity, with discipline and resolve. |
| "These are the right measures at the right time based on the best public health advice." | "These are the right measures at the right time based on the best public health advice." |
| Irish health minister Simon Harris said all museums, galleries and tourist sites will also be closed. | Irish health minister Simon Harris said all museums, galleries and tourist sites will also be closed. |
| He urged older people in particular to reduce their social contacts outside the home. | He urged older people in particular to reduce their social contacts outside the home. |
| 'Decisive and rapid' | |
| Tony Holohan, Ireland's chief medical officer, said: "We've recommended that there be restrictions now on visiting hospitals, long-term care settings, mental health facilities, prisons and spacing measures applied in homeless shelters. | |
| "We'll continue to meet - not necessarily to identify new measures but to continue to provide advice and guidance." | |
| He also said that "discretionary social contact" should be reduced. | |
| He said that the measures announced by the government were "early, decisive, rapid, co-ordinated and comprehensive" and offered the "greatest chance of mitigating the impact" of the outbreak. | |
| "But it is not to say it is going to prevent an increase in cases. We expect to see that." | |
| Are you affected by the coronavirus outbreak in the Republic of Ireland? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | |
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