The Taoiseach is chairing a special stakeholder forum on the coronavirus this afternoon.
Groups including ALONE, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland and Nursing Homes Ireland are attending the meeting in Leinster House.
Leo Varadkar is joined by health officials in briefing the groups on the State’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The meeting will focus heavily on the ways the most vulnerable people in society will be protected.
The Government is expected to issue fresh guidance on the holding of mass gatherings like sporting events and St Patrick’s Day after the meeting.
Some of those attending today’s forum: pic.twitter.com/ts9MXt0H1t
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) March 6, 2020
It comes as visiting restrictions were put in place at the Mater Hospital and hundreds of nursing homes across the country in a bid to protect the vulnerable from the virus.
Nursing Homes Ireland – which represents around 80% of private and voluntary nursing homes in the country – said there will be no non-essential visiting due to the "unprecedented challenges" posed by COVID-19.
People are being advised to only visit residents in urgent circumstances, and they are being asked to contact the home before attending.
Meanwhile, NHI said management of homes will reserve the right to impose full restrictions if necessary.
The Mater Hospital said the only patients that will be allowed visitors are those in critical care, vulnerable young adults, psychiatric patients or those who are receiving end of life care.
The HSE is urging anyone who has been to one of seven coronavirus-affected areas in the past two weeks and is experiencing symptoms of the virus to phone their local GP or Emergency Department without delay.
The symptoms are a cough, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties, fever (high temperature).
If you are feeling well, you are advised to carry on with your normal routine.
People are urged to contact the HSE on 1850 24 1850 if they think they have been in contact with a coronavirus patient or if they were at a healthcare facility in another country where coronavirus patients are being treated.
Health officials say there is no need for masks or gloves.
The best way to protect yourself from the virus is to:
- Wash your hands properly and often
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze
- Put used tissues into a bin and wash your hands
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Avoid close contact with people who are not well.
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
With reporting from Shane Beatty
