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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 until 29 March.Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar said the measures take effect from 18:00 on Thursday until 29 March.
He said Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK would be briefed on developments. The first death linked to coronavirus in Ireland - involving an elderly woman with underlying health conditions - was announced on Wednesday.
Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Coveney said airports and ports will remain open. There are now 460 confirmed cases in the UK. Eight people have died.
Mr Varadkar added that indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 should be cancelled. Earlier on Thursday, stocks tumbled around the world after US President Donald Trump restricted travel to the US from mainland Europe in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The UK and Ireland were not included.
He said people should work remotely when possible. Mr Trump announced a ban on travellers from 26 European countries entering the United States for 30 days, starting on Friday.
The first death linked to coronavirus has been recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Announcing the moves in Ireland, Mr Varadkar said Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK would be briefed on developments.
The elderly woman died in a Dublin hospital on Wednesday. He added that indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 should be cancelled. He said people should work remotely if possible. Airports and ports will remain open.
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 that the public and businesses needed to take a sensible approach.
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.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.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. Kieran Kennedy said: "That will be very challenging for a lot of our staff. It will have a real impact on our manufacturing."
"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".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."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.
Later, Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Coveney said the closures were "necessary and justified".Later, Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Coveney said the closures were "necessary and justified".
"We do need to respond with calm, with unity, with discipline and resolve," he said."We do need to respond with calm, with unity, with discipline and resolve," he said.
"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.
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 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.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.
"But it is not to say it is going to prevent an increase in cases. We expect to see that," he said."But it is not to say it is going to prevent an increase in cases. We expect to see that," he said.
Have you been affected by the coronavirus outbreak in the Republic of Ireland? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the coronavirus outbreak in the Republic of Ireland? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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