Irish carriers Aer Lingus and Ryanair are suspending all flights to Italy.

Ryanair says it will stop all international flights as and from midnight on Friday, with domestic flights ending from midnight on Wednesday.

Both of these bans will be in place until midnight on Wednesday April 8th.

Ryanair says the suspension follows the decision of the Italian government to "lock down" the entire country to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Aer Lingus is also set to cancel all Italian flights from Wednesday until April 3rd.

The Irish Government has issued a rare 'Do No Travel' directive for the entire country.

The Department of Foreign Affairs says: "On 9th March, the Italian government declared that the whole of Italy is now in isolation, as a result of the increased spread of coronavirus in the country.

"Travel between Italian regions, provinces and comuni (townships) is now prohibited with the exception of necessary travel for work purposes or emergencies.

"Tourist attractions, ski resorts, bars/pubs, nightclubs, cultural sites and museums will remain closed country-wide until April 3rd".

"Until further notice, and while the isolation measures are in effect, we are advising that citizens do not travel to Italy."

Image: Aer Lingus

Ryanair says: "All affected passengers have received e-mail notices today informing them of these flight cancellations.

"Passengers looking for repatriation can obtain a free move to an earlier Ryanair flight operating up until midnight Fri 13 March.

"Affected passengers will be able to choose between a full refund or a travel credit that can be redeemed on Ryanair flights in the next 12 months."

A Ryanair flight from Dublin to Milan on Tuesday had just 16 passengers onboard - a later flight from Milan to Dublin has just 11 seats filled.

Some 173 people have booked to fly from Dublin to Rome on Tuesday - with just 23 boarding the plane.

Apple case

Earlier, acting Tánaiste Simon Coveney said most flights from Italy to Ireland are "pretty empty" due to the outbreak there.

However, he said Leo Varadkar would be raising the issue of whether there should be more air travel restrictions within the EU when he speaks to other leaders on Tuesday.

Separately, an employee of Apple in Cork has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The firm says it has asked some of its team members to stay at home.

The tech company says in a statement: "We are closely coordinating with the local health authorities who feel the risk to others is low, and the individual remains in self-isolation.

"As a precaution, we have asked some of our team members to stay at home while we work with the Health and Safety Executive to assess the situation.

"We are continuing to regularly deep clean all our offices and stores and will take all necessary precautions in accordance with guidance from health authorities."

Apple directly employs around 6,000 people here.