Coronavirus: Ireland to shut all pubs at midnight - cancelling St Patrick's Day

The Republic of Ireland government has ordered all pubs to close their doors until March 29 in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus

Republic of Ireland's Government has ordered all its pubs to close their doors at midnight tonight.
In a statement released today, the government called on pubs and bars to shut from midnight until “at least March 29”.

The drastic measure was announced in a bid to keep people safe during the coronavirus crisis.
It added: “For the same reason, the Government is also calling on all members of the public not to organise or participate in any parties in private houses or other venues which would put other peoples’ health at risk.

“The Government, having consulted with the Chief Medical Officer, believes that this is an essential public health measure given the reports of reckless behaviour by some members of the public in certain pubs last night.

Pubs have been ordered to close in a bid to stop the virus from spreading
“While the Government acknowledges that the majority of the public and pub owners are behaving responsibly, it believes it is important that all pubs are closed in advance of St Patricks’ Day.”
The Irish Government is not delaying in taking action after the number of cases rose to 129 in the Republic with two having died from the disease.

It comes one day after the UK Government leaked that pubs would be asked to shut their doors in the coming days as part of extraordinary moves to contain the coronavirus.
The temporary closure of pubs, bars and restaurants is one of a series of extreme measures being prepared by the government to prevent the healthcare system from being devastated by COVID-19.