LAST UPDATE | 18 Mar 2020

THE TAOISEACH HAS warned that issues related to the outbreak of Covid-19 in Ireland could go on for a number of months.

In a televised address to the nation last night, Leo Varadkar accepted that the government did not know when the situation would be over, but warned that it was likely to last well beyond 29 March.

Tonight, the Department of Health announced a further 74 cases of the novel coronavirus confirmed in the Republic of Ireland, bringing to 366 the total number of cases here.

Ten new cases were also announced in the North, bringing the total number there to 62.

Meanwhile, the European Union has agreed to impose travel restrictions on most foreigners entering Europe for at least 30 days to limit the spread of the virus.

Here are today’s main Covid-19 points:

• 74 new cases of the virus were confirmed this evening.
• The HSE released stats of where the virus has infected people in Ireland. 
• Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that the elderly and people who have a long-term illness will soon be asked to stay at home for several weeks.
• GPs have agreed to facilitate people who are not normally registered with a practice if they develop Covid-19 symptoms.
• Banks in Ireland are set to offer customers affected by the Covid-19 outbreak a three-month mortgage break. 
• Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty has said that 16,000 people have already applied to her department for Covid-19 social welfare schemes.
• The Cabinet has signed off on measures that would allow people to be detained if they have Covid-19 but refuse to self-isolate.
• Ryanair said 80% of its flight schedules will be cut from midnight tonight and that it expects all of its flights to be grounded by Tuesday.
• Irish Water has appealed to business owners to ensure that their premises are not unnecessarily using water supplies while they are closed or reducing activity. Householders have also been asked to turn off taps during the 20 seconds that they are washing their hands.
• An Post has postponed a planned 10c increase in the cost of a standard postage stamp.
• The National and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has reminded the public to maintain social distancing even when walking and hiking outdoors.
• Trinity College Provost Patrick Prendergast has said that students who have been told to vacate their accommodation will be refunded for the time they don’t stay there.
• Brown Thomas and Arnotts have closed their stores until further notice.
• Broadcaster Ciara Kelly has tested positive for the virus.

In international coronavirus news:

• The US and Canada have agreed to close the northern border between the countries to non-essential traffic.
• The European Union will impose an entry ban on travellers from outside the continent for 30 days to battle the spread of the coronavirus.
• The UK will introduce government-backed loans worth £330 billion and a mortgage pause for homeowners to help its citizens through the crisis.
  
• The Eurovision Song Contest has been cancelled.
• Schools in Northern Ireland are being closed. A decision was made to close all schools across the UK.
• The US state of West Virgina has reported its first case of Covid-19, becoming the 50th and final state to confirm a case of the illness.
• The BBC will suspend filming on a number of dramas – including Eastenders, Casualty, and Holby City – over the coronavirus.
• Turkey closed its land borders with Greece and Bulgaria.
• Israel closed its borders to all foreigners, except residents.
• South Africa has imposed a blanket ban on cruise ships entering its ports.
• Organisers of Glastonbury, which was due to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, have announced this year’s festival has been cancelled.

With reporting by Garreth MacNamee

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