Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced older people will soon be asked to self-isolate for several weeks. Discussing the cancellations and closures as emergency measures are put in place, he said: "I know these choices won't be easy, but they are necessary. The Taoiseach said it is likely these measures will extend beyond March 29, "even into the summer" but that public transport and shops will continue to open. The government today approved the Health Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2020 to support the national response to the coronavirus crisis. Countries across Europe have been implementing new emergency measures to tackle the coronavirus crisis.

Source: Irish Independent March 17, 2020 21:10 UTC