Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announces Coronavirus measures while in USA
Speaking from Washington DC on Thursday Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the measures being announced today would remain in place until March 29th and would be kept under review.
The move could have a knock-on effect for people from Derry who work in schools across the border.
The British government is expected to make an announcement this afternoon on whether it will make the move from ‘containment’ to ‘delay’, which could see closures of education facilities and the postponement of all sports and other outdoor and indoor events for at least two weeks.
NEW MEASURES
Schools, colleges and childcare facilities to close
Cultural institutions to close
Indoor gatherings of more than 100 people should be cancelled
Outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled
Public transport will continue to operate
People should continue to go to work, but those who can work from home should do so
Shops, cafes and restaurants to stay open
Measures begin at 6pm this evening and last until March 29th
From 6pm, schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close, Mr Varadkar said. Cultural institution will also close, he said.
The Government is also recommending that indoor gatherings of more than 100 people – and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people – be cancelled.
People should continue to go to work if they can, but those who are able to work from home should do so, he added.
Shops and supply chains will remain open, the Taoiseach said, and cafes and restaurants can remain open. He also said people should minimise social interaction where possible.
Public transport will continue to operate.
Mr Varadkar did not comment on the US travel ban announced last night. The ban applies to visitors from most European states, but not Ireland.
Speaking after the announcement of the new measures, Tánaiste Simon Coveney said the measures being introduced were unprecedented in their scale and effect across society.
“Never before has such drastic action been taken in face of a public health threat,” he told a press briefing in Government Buildings.
This was not being taken lightly but was based on the advice of the best public health experts, Mr Coveney said.
“The irony is that in order to pull together we are asking people to stay apart. The closures proposed will disrupt the everyday connectivity that makes us who we are.”
The days and weeks ahead will be difficult, Mr Coveney warned, but the Government cannot succeed on its own.
The Dáil is to sit next week to pass emergency legislation; the Dáil is regarded as a workplace, as opposed to a mass gathering.
In a statement, the Department of Education said all pupils, from pre-school to third level, are urged to practice social distancing, and to minimise physical contact with each other.
In order to minimise the impact on teaching, the department said schools will be asked to continue to plan lessons and to provide online resources where possible.
“Schools are asked to prioritise supporting exam classes to continue to prepare for State examinations,” said the department, adding that physical classes in universities and higher education facilities would not be held.
Minister for Education Joe McHugh said he was deeply conscious of the impact the closures would have on students, their families and the wider community. “This is a necessary and proportionate measure that we are taking as a pro-active measure to help contain the threat of Covid-19,” he said.
Mr McHugh said: “This is the right decision at the right time. It is taken in the best interests of our children, our young people, our school and college communities and our wider society.”
The situation would remain under review, he said, and any change to the measures would be communicated widely.
Pupils have been advised to take their books and learning materials home with them this evening, he said.
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