AVRUPA-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 would take effect from 18:00 on Thursday to 29 March.He said 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.The first death linked to coronavirus has been recorded in the Republic of Ireland.The elderly woman died in a Dublin hospital on Wednesday.Mr Varadkar said schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close from Friday.He added the public and businesses needed to take a sensible approach, adding that the Irish cabinet would meet later and that Northern Ireland and GB would be briefed.
Coronavirus US
Trump suspends travel from Europe to US.The ban applies to travellers from countries which are members of the Schengen border-free travel area.The UK, Ireland and other non-Schengen countries are unaffected. US citizens are also exempt.The EU condemned the measures, which it said were taken "unilaterally and without consultation".The new rules go into effect on Friday at midnight EDT and mark a major escalation from the US president, who has been accused of inaction over coronavirus. There are 1,135 confirmed cases of the virus across the US, with 38 deaths so far.
- Republic of Ireland closes all schools - Entire Spanish government undergoes testing - Greece and Austria confirm first deaths - President Trump suspends travel from European countries for 30 days - The ban does not include UK - Tom Hanks and wife, Rita Wilson, say they have the virus in Australia - Daily cases in Hubei, China - where the outbreak began - reach new low