Leo Varadkar has announced the next stage of measures to counteract the spread of Covid-19 across Ireland and has advised against social indoor gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people.
Speaking in Washington DC this morning, the Taoiseach said:
Our advice is that all indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor mass gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled.
In the hours since his speech, numerous Irish sporting bodies have announced that they are postponing activities.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced a series of measures, including the temporary closure of schools, colleges and childcare facilities, to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak | Read more: https://t.co/jr7d4agqCK pic.twitter.com/x1dBuGtaIQ
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 12, 2020
On Wednesday night, Basketball Ireland announced that they have instructed "instructing all affiliates to suspend all basketball competitions and events with immediate effect." Today, Athletics Ireland has also released a statement that they are suspending competitions and events:
Athletics Ireland is therefore instructing all affiliates to suspend all athletic competitions and events with immediate effect. We understand that this decision will result in inconvenience and disappointment to many athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters. However, we are sure that all will understand that the decision is taken in the best interests, not just of the athletics community, but of the Country.
The situation is changing rapidly and we will continue to monitor developments and update our website and communication on a daily basis.
The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association have also announced a suspension of activities at all levels up to and including 29 March.
In light of this morning’s Government announcement, the GAA, An Cumann Camógaíochta and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association have decided to suspend all activity at club, inter-county and educational levels until March 29 (inclusive) from midnight.
This is to include all games, training and team gatherings at all ages and all grades.
The FAI has tweeted in the wake of the Taoiseach's speech that they will be making an announcement regarding football activities after a key meeting this afternoon.
FAI STATEMENT
The Football Association of Ireland will make an announcement on plans for all footballing activities under its jurisdiction after a meeting with Government, Department of Health officials and other national sporting bodies this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/6cSTd8lhFE— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) March 12, 2020
The measures announced this morning - which will kick in from 6pm this evening - include the closure of schools, colleges and childcare facilities until 29 March.
