This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-51850811

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
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. Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar said the measures take effect from 18:00 on Thursday until 29 March.
He added that the Irish cabinet would meet later and that Northern Ireland and GB would be briefed. He said the Irish cabinet would meet later and that Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK would be briefed.
Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Coveney said airports and ports would remain open.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. Mr Varadkar added that 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 said people should work remotely when possible.
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.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. The measures introduced in the Republic of Ireland will have a significant impact on Northern Ireland's border region, according to the managing director of O'Neill's sportswear firm.
It employs more than 750 staff at its factory in Strabane, County Tyrone, near the border with County Donegal in the Republic.
Kieran Kennedy said the measure will have a significant impact on staff.
"That will be very challenging for a lot of our staff. It will have a real impact on our manufacturing," he said.
The taoiseach said he realised the restrictions would be a "real shock".
"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: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.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 were "necessary and justified".
"The actions we are announcing today are absolutely necessary and justified," he added. "We do need to respond with calm, with unity, with discipline and resolve," he said.
"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.
"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''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. Tony Holohan, Ireland's chief medical officer, said 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.
"We'll continue to meet - not necessarily to identify new measures but to continue to provide advice and guidance." "But it is not to say it is going to prevent an increase in cases. We expect to see that," he said.
He also said that "discretionary social contact" should be reduced. Have you been affected by the coronavirus outbreak in the Republic of Ireland? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below