Leo Varadkar announces that from tomorrow. schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close across Ireland.

Speaking at a media briefing in Washington D.C., the Taoiseach said that due to the global coronavirus crisis, this measure is now necessary. He said that the government has been "preparing for all eventualities" and said that Ireland's National Public Health Emergency Team issued new advice last night which will now be implemented. From 6 pm today, the following measures will be put in place and will remain so until March 29.

• Colleges, schools and childcare facilities will close from tomorrow and where possible, teaching will be done online. Cultural institutions to close.
• Indoor gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor mass gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled
• People entering Ireland via airports to self-isolate if they develop symptoms
• People can continue to go to work but where possible, work from home.

Public transport will continue to operate and shops will remain open. Restaurants, cafés, and bars can stay open but should look at ways to implement social distancing where possible. The Taoiseach said:

"You can all play your part by handwashing, coughing and sneezing into your elbow or tissue and seeking medical advice if you develop symptoms. This is more important than ever".

He went on to say that the cabinet will meet later today and that "extensive but not unlimited resources" will be deployed. He also praised the health service for their work at the forefront of this crisis. Mr Varadkar continued:

"I know some of this is coming as a real shock and it's going to involve big changes in the way we live our lives and I know that I'm asking people to make enormous sacrifices but we're doing it for each other. Together, we can slow the virus in its tracks and push it back". "Acting together as one nation, we can save many lives. 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. Above all, we all need to look out for each other. Ireland is a great nation, we are great people. We've experienced hardship and struggle before, we've overcome many trials in the past with our determination and our spirit and once again, we will prevail".

Yesterday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Covid-19 Coronavirus a global pandemic. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation said:

"Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death". "Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this virus. It doesn’t change what the WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do. "We have never before seen a pandemic sparked by a coronavirus. This is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus."