All schools and childcare facilities to close tomorrow Taoiseach announces

All schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close from tomorrow until March 29 due to the Coronavirus, the Taoiseach has announced.

Speaking from Washington, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar outlined the new measures that will be taken by the Government in an attempt to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

"We said that we would take the right actions at the right time and we have to move now to have the greatest impact. So, from 6pm today the following measures are bing put in place and they will stay in place until march 29. Schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close from tomorrow. Where possible, teaching will be done online or remotely. Cultural institutions will close as well."

The Taoiseach also said that the Government is advising that all indoor gatherings of over 100 people and all outdoor mass gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled.

"We have a duty as a society to protect ourselves and above all to protect others, our parents and grandparents, our family and friends, our co-workers and neighbours. "We have not witnessed a pandemic of this nature in living memory and this is uncharted territory for us."

Leo Varadkar said that people should continue to go to work, but where possible they should work from home. He recommended that break times and working times be staggered to reduce contact in the workplace.

"Public transport will continue to operate, the shops will stay open and we have plans to ensure that the supply chain will not be interrupted."

Speaking at Government Buildings, Tánaiste Simon Coveney acknowledged that the closure of the schools and creches would cause huge disruption and mean that the days and weeks ahead would be difficult.  However, he said that the actions were "absolutely necessary and justified". He said that in order for the Irish people to pull together, it would mean staying apart and reminded people that " as the Taoiseach said, the virus has no cure, no vaccine and we have no immunity".

"So the most effective tool that we do have is to do everything in our power to slow down the spread of this virus. We're acting to protect the most vulnerable in our society. Those who are vulnerable are precious. That is why the actins we're announcing today are absolutely justified and necessary."