By Ben Kerrigan-
The Republic of Ireland has taken the wise step of closing all schools and colleges in the wake of the Coronavirus
Public facilities including schools and colleges in the Republic of Ireland are to close in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Ireland’s prime minister confirmed today. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the measures take effect from 18:00 on Thursday until 29 March.He said that Northern Ireland and the UK would be briefed on developments. The drastic steps follows news of the first death linked to coronavirus in Ireland involving an elderly woman with underlying health conditions. The total number of cases in the Uk has risen to 590, with 10 recorded deaths.
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Another two cases were diagnosed in Northern Ireland, bringing the total to 20. Mr Varadkar added that indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 should be cancelled. He suggested should work remotely if possible. Airports and ports will remain open. The drastic announcement comes days after U.S president Mr Trump announced a ban on travellers from 26 European countries entering the United States for 30 days, beginning on Friday. President Trump’s ban excluded the Uk and Ireland.
Trump has been criticised for specifically targeting EU countries and making exception for the Uk whose stats for Coronavirus is rising by the day. The Irish prime minister’s decision to close schools is seen as a wise move by growing critics of the Uk who argue that more drastic steps needs to be taken to protect increasing numbers of the public from falling victim to a virus that has officially been declared a pandemic by the World Health Orgainzation.
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. Kieran Kennedy said: “That will be very challenging for a lot of our staff. It will have a real impact on our manufacturing.”
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BIG CHANGES
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.
“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.” Mr Varadkar said shops should remain open and public transport will continue to operate.
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