theirishtimes--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: HSE receives high volume of calls seeking tests as it urges patience

The HSE has said that GP out of hours services and emergency phone lines have received a very large number of calls from people seeking access to testing for coronavirus .
The HSE said it was working this weekend to ensure that sufficient testing facilities were in place by Monday to meet the increased demand .
The HSE said on Saturday that GPs out of hours services were not in a position to order testing for patients with normal cold and flu like symptoms .
“ HSELive is an information line and similarly not in a position to order testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The public are asked to reserve 112/999 for medical emergencies at all times ” , the HSE said in a statement .
The HSE said that while GPs have had access for some time to testing through the National Ambulance Service , given the increased requirement for testing , it was working to have new electronic processes operational from Monday , March 16th next to allow family doctors more easily order testing for patients where clinically indicated .
“ Members of the public who have normal cold and flu like symptoms or who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with COVID-19 are being asked to self-isolate and to ring their GP on Monday , who will then be in a position to triage patients appropriately and order a test where indicated.
” Dr Colm Henry , Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE said ; “ While we appreciate people ’ s concern about COVID-19 , we would ask for their patience as we respond to the increasing requirement for testing .
He said d “ To limit the spread of Covid- 19 people should ; practice social distancing and avoid crowded places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze , clean and disinfect frequently touched surface , stay at home if they are sick to avoid spread of whatever infection they have .
“ We will all work together as a health service to provide the information you need , and to provide the testing and health care needed for those who do develop illness due to COVID-19.
” “ The public should go to the HSE website in the first instance if they are concerned about COVID-19.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at hse.ie

A paramedic oseals a COVID-19 coronavirus disease screening test kit during a response training exercise in the central Israeli city of Kiryat Ono. Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP
The HSE is set to increase testing for coronavirus from Monday, in a bid to meet the rising demand for the procedure.
At the weekend, the health service announced that GPs would be able to order tests through their IT system, and that steps were being made to ensure sufficient testing facilities will be available to meet the rising demand.
Up until this week, testing was carried out at people’s homes through the National Ambulance Service. However, while at-home tests continue, the HSE is also establishing a number of community testing sites across the country.
These sites will be attendance by referral only, meaning individuals cannot simply show up and receive a test.
READ MORE
GPs will from Monday be able to order tests more easily through an electonic process.
“Members of the public who have normal cold and flu like symptoms or who believe they may have been in contact with Covid-19 are being asked to self-isolate and to ring their GP on Monday, who will then be in a position to triage patients appropriately and order a test where indicated,” a statement by the HSE said.
Individuals who undergo testing are advised to self-isolate, even prior to receiving the results of the test.
It is understood that these measures will result in a surge of tests being carried out.
Testing for the virus previously focused on individuals who had recently visited an infected area in Europe. However, this criteria has changed and health officials no longer reference geographical questions and base their decisions on clinical criteria alone.
Individuals who have had a recent onset of fever and chills and/or symptoms of respiratory tract infection, including cough, are likely to be tested.
People who are ill with a severe lung infection will also be tested, as will those who have developed pneumonia.
Anyone coming back from an area subject to a Department of Foreign Affairs travel advisory against non-essential travel needs to self-isolate for 14 days.
If displaying symptoms, those individuals are advised to contact their GP who will then refer them for testing.
Meanwhile, Irish racing enthusiasts returning from Cheltenham will be subject to "health interviews" at airports and ports in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus.
GP out-of-hours services and emergency phone lines received a very large number of calls from people seeking access to testing for coronavirus over the weekend, the health service said.
The HSE said on Saturday that GPs out of hours services were not in a position to order testing for patients with normal cold and flu like symptoms.
“HSELive is an information line and similarly not in a position to order testing for members of the public.”
“The public are asked to reserve 112/999 for medical emergencies at all times”, the HSE said in a statement.
Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE said;"While we appreciate people's concern about Covid-19, we would ask for their patience as we respond to the increasing requirement for testing.
He added: “To limit the spread of Covid- 19 people should; practice social distancing and avoid crowded places, wash their hands properly and often, cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, clean and disinfect frequently touched surface, stay at home if they are sick to avoid spread of whatever infection they have.
“We will all work together as a health service to provide the information you need, and to provide the testing and health care needed for those who do develop illness due to Covid-19.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: What should you do if you have symptoms?

Ireland has introduced additional measures as part of an effort to interrupt the transmission of Covid-19.What is the latest advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team ?
What should you do ?
Individuals who have symptoms should self-isolate for a period of 14 days .
Individuals should reduce discretionary social contacts as much as possible .
Older and/or medically vulnerable people should reduce as much as possible contacts outside home .
There should be no mass gatherings involving more than 100 people if located indoors or involving more than 500 people if located outdoors .
Closure of schools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education institutions .
Reduction of workplace contacts where possible and implementation of remote working practices and teleconferencing where possible and not to travel for meetings .
Work time and break times should be staggered , where possible .
Restriction of visiting at hospitals , long term care settings , mental health facilities and prisons .
New spacing measures have been introduced in homeless shelters .
Can you update me on who gets tested ?
The Health Service Executive ( HSE ) has changed its policy on testing for the novel coronavirus .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now based on clinical criteria alone .
You are likely to be tested if you have had a recent onset of fever and chills and/or symptoms of respiratory tract infection , including cough .
People who are ill with a severe lung infection will also be tested , as will those who have developed pneumonia .
People who are feeling unwell are advised to consult the HSE website , or ring the HSE Live helpline on 1850-241850 for advice .
They are strongly advised not to visit their GP or emergency department except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing take place ?
Most people are being tested in their own homes , with the National Ambulance Service taking responsibility for this testing .
How long can I expect to wait for a result ?
There is no hard and fast rule , but the Department of Health has said it aims to turn tests around in 24 to 48 hours , although some people have reported waiting on results for longer than this .
Two samples are taken by swabbing someone ’ s nose or throat .
People who are ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sample taken using sputum .
Testing and a molecular diagnosis then follows .
All tests are carried out at the National Virus Reference Laboratory in University College Dublin .
But testing facilities are now being established in the laboratories of major acute hospitals and are expected to be operational by Monday , March 16th .
What is the capacity for testing and will that change ?
The lab had a capacity of about 200 tests a day .
As the new testing centres rolled out countrywide , it will increase substantially the system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regime changed over time ?
Ireland has moved out of the containment phase and into the delay phase of the pandemic .
In a rapidly evolving situation there may be less of an emphasis on community testing as resources are shifted to looking after sicker , hospitalised patients .
What is the incubation period of Coronavirus ?
The time between exposure and onset of symptoms is estimated at between two and 14 days .
Evidence is emerging to suggest that transmission can occur from an infected person with no symptoms ; however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by non symptomatic people on the pandemic .
There is insufficient scientific information at present to determine an individual ’ s exact length of incubation .

Tested for the virus will take place if you have had recent fever and chills and/or symptoms of respiratory tract infection, including cough. File photograph: Getty
Ireland has introduced additional measures as part of an effort to interrupt the transmission of Covid-19.What is the latest advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team?
What should you do?
Individuals who have symptoms should self-isolate for a period of 14 days.
Individuals should reduce discretionary social contacts as much as possible.
Older and/or medically vulnerable people should reduce as much as possible contacts outside home.
READ MORE
There should be no mass gatherings involving more than 100 people if located indoors or involving more than 500 people if located outdoors.
Closure of museums, galleries and tourism sites.
Closure of schools, creches, other childcare facilities and higher education institutions.
Reduction of workplace contacts where possible and implementation of remote working practices and teleconferencing where possible and not to travel for meetings. Work time and break times should be staggered, where possible.
Restriction of visiting at hospitals, long-term care settings, mental health facilities and prisons. New spacing measures have been introduced in homeless shelters.
Can you update me on who gets tested?
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has changed its policy on testing for the novel coronavirus. It no longer references geographical questions and is now based on clinical criteria alone.
You are likely to be tested if you have had a recent onset of fever and chills and/or symptoms of respiratory tract infection, including cough.
People who are ill with a severe lung infection will also be tested, as will those who have developed pneumonia.
People who are feeling unwell are advised to consult the HSE website, or ring the HSE Live helpline on 1850-241850 for advice. They are strongly advised not to visit their GP or emergency department except by prior telephone arrangement.
Where does testing take place?
Most people are being tested in their own homes, with the National Ambulance Service taking responsibility for this testing.
How long can I expect to wait for a result?
There is no hard and fast rule, but the Department of Health has said it aims to turn tests around in 24 to 48 hours, although some people have reported waiting on results for longer than this.
How does testing work?
Two samples are taken by swabbing someone’s nose or throat. People who are ill and are coughing will have a respiratory sample taken using sputum. Testing and a molecular diagnosis then follows. All tests are carried out at the National Virus Reference Laboratory in University College Dublin. But testing facilities are now being established in the laboratories of major acute hospitals and are expected to be operational by Monday, March 16th.
What is the capacity for testing and will that change?
The lab had a capacity of about 200 tests a day. As the new testing centres rolled out countrywide, it will increase substantially the system’s capacity.
There will be a major expansion in testing from Monday. The HSE say they will have “community Covid-19 testing centres established to enable testing at local level”.
In addition from Monday, GPs can make electronic requests for testing of patients to the HSE. GPs will not undertake the testing themselves.
Has the testing regime changed over time?
Ireland has moved out of the containment phase and into the delay phase of the pandemic. In a rapidly evolving situation there may be less of an emphasis on community testing as resources are shifted to looking after sicker, hospitalised patients.
What is the incubation period of coronavirus?
The time between exposure and onset of symptoms is estimated at between two and 14 days. Evidence is emerging to suggest that transmission can occur from an infected person with no symptoms; however, uncertainties remain about the effect of transmission by non-symptomatic people on the pandemic.
There is insufficient scientific information at present to determine an individual’s exact length of incubation.


theirishtimes--2020-03-14--Irish travel advisory issued for Poland, Denmark and other countries

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Saturday advised against all non-essential travel to Czech Republic , Cyprus , Denmark , Malta , Poland , Slovakia , Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said .
This is in addition to earlier advice warning of non-essential travel to Spain , no travel to Italy and exercising caution when going to other EU countries .
Ryanair has announced it is to cancel all its scheduled services to and from Poland from midnight on Saturday until the end of March .
The move was made in response to the decision of the Polish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire country to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus , Ryanair said all its flights including those operating under the Buzz and Lauda brands are to be grounded .
“ We are contacting all affected customers by email to advise them of their options and we urge customers not to call us , ” a company spokesman said .
“ This is a fast-moving and complex situation and the safety and well-being of our people and customers is our main priority .
We will continue to comply fully with all WHO and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel restrictions that are imposed , ” he added .
On behalf of the Ryanair Group he apologised “ sincerely to all customers affected by these Government Restrictions in order to combat the Covid-19 virus.
” Meanwhile Aer Lingus and Ryanair have offered passengers the opportunity to change their bookings without incurring a change fee due to coronavirus .
The Aer Lingus concession applies to those who have flights booked between now and May 31st and is in response to the coronavirus outbreak .
Passengers have until March 25th to change their bookings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their choice .
Fare differences may apply .
Ryanair says it will waive its €35 flight change fee for customers who wish to change their travel plans due to the coronavirus outbreak .
Passengers will still have to pay the difference in fares when changing a flight .
Ryanair chief executive Michael O ’ Leary has told passengers that had flights been cancelled last week they would have received an email on how to get a refund and a free move .
Mr O ’ Leary said every aircraft is being treated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already fitted with high efficiency particulate arrestor filters , which remove particles in the air , down to the size of microscopic bacteria and virus clusters .
He added : “ We hope these policies will reinforce your confidence so that you can book your flights with Ryanair as this Covid-19 crisis will pass and life will return to normal.
” Meanwhile student plans to travel to the United States during the summer on J1 visas have been thrown into doubt by a temporary ban .
US president Donald ’ s Trump declaration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspension on J1 visas from now with the possibility of another 30-day suspension depending on the the progress of the virus .

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Saturday advised against all non-essential travel to Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said.
This is in addition to earlier advice warning of non-essential travel to Spain, no travel to Italy and exercising caution when going to other EU countries.
Ryanair has announced it is to cancel all its scheduled services to and from Poland from midnight on Saturday until the end of March.
The move was made in response to the decision of the Polish Government to “lock down” the entire country to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus,
READ MORE
Ryanair said all its flights including those operating under the Buzz and Lauda brands are to be grounded.
“We are contacting all affected customers by email to advise them of their options and we urge customers not to call us,” a company spokesman said.
“This is a fast-moving and complex situation and the safety and well-being of our people and customers is our main priority. We will continue to comply fully with all WHO and EASA guidelines and we will follow any travel restrictions that are imposed,” he added.
On behalf of the Ryanair Group he apologised “sincerely to all customers affected by these Government Restrictions in order to combat the Covid-19 virus.”
Meanwhile Aer Lingus and Ryanair have offered passengers the opportunity to change their bookings without incurring a change fee due to coronavirus.
The Aer Lingus concession applies to those who have flights booked between now and May 31st and is in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Passengers have until March 25th to change their bookings to a different date or route of their choice. Fare differences may apply.
Ryanair says it will waive its €35 flight change fee for customers who wish to change their travel plans due to the coronavirus outbreak. Passengers will still have to pay the difference in fares when changing a flight.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has told passengers that had flights been cancelled last week they would have received an email on how to get a refund and a free move.
Mr O’Leary said every aircraft is being treated with hospital-grade disinfectant and that all aircraft are already fitted with high efficiency particulate arrestor filters, which remove particles in the air, down to the size of microscopic bacteria and virus clusters.
He added: “We hope these policies will reinforce your confidence so that you can book your flights with Ryanair as this Covid-19 crisis will pass and life will return to normal.”
Meanwhile student plans to travel to the United States during the summer on J1 visas have been thrown into doubt by a temporary ban.
US president Donald’s Trump declaration of a national emergency includes a 60-day suspension on J1 visas from now with the possibility of another 30-day suspension depending on the the progress of the virus.


theirishtimes--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: Grogan’s pub among several to close for two weeks

Grogan ’ s , one of Dublin ’ s fabled literary pubs , is among several pubs to announces it is closing its door for the next fortnight due to coronavirus restrictions .
Grogan ’ s , also known as the Castle Lounge on South William Street , has been a haven for artists since it was taken over by Cavan publican Tommy Smith and his business partner Paddy Kennedy in 1972 .
It quickly built up a reputation as the successor to McDaid ’ s as Dublin ’ s most prominent bohemian pub .
Its habitués , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included “ off-duty pimps , robbers and thieves , poets , actors , saints and spoilt priests ” .
Doubling as an unofficial art gallery , with many artists displaying their art on the wall for sale , customers love the intimacy and old-school cosiness of the pub .
It ’ s that very intimacy that has prompted joint owner Donal Smith , the son of Tommy , to close the pub as of midnight tonight for the next fortnight .
Grogan ’ s , he has concluded , is simply too small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines that people should keep a recommended two metres from each other .
Such a stipulation would be difficult in a big pub ; impossible in one the size of Grogan ’ s with its little nooks and crannies .
Besides , he adds , keeping that distance apart defeats the purpose of going to a pub .
The pub was reasonably full on Saturday afternoon with drinkers gathering around its little partitioned enclaves while a few regulars supped silently at the counter .
Outside a large group of men sat under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoying what has passed for a spring day recently .
So much for social distancing .
Mr Smith said he made the decision after consulting with Mr Kennedy who remains a partner in the business .
“ It ’ s been playing on my mind for the last couple of days , ” he said .
The pub has closed before , once during Hurricane Ophelia and also during the Beast for the East , but only briefly .
“ We ’ ve never seen anything like this , ever , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the age of 78 and warm tributes , including an obituary in The Irish Times , testified to his reputation as one of Dublin ’ s great publicans , but even he never had to confront the present circumstances .
“ We have to do this , to try and get a handle on it .
It ’ s impossible to keep people two metres away from each other , ” Donal Smith said .
He and Mr Kennedy intend to “ take the hit ” and continue to pay the five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Grogan ’ s .
“ It ’ s not about the money , ” he says .
“ It ’ s about the health of the staff .
Their parents could be older .
We had to think about this .
This is serious for everyone .
Look at what happened in Italy .
We have to contain this.
” On Thursday the Government called for gatherings of more than 100 people indoors and 500 people outdoors to be cancelled .
However it has been left up to pubs to decide themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers they allow into their premises as part of efforts to deal with coronavirus .
However on Saturday the State ’ s Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan , delivered a strong warning about compliance with social distancing measures .
“ There are a lot of anecdotal reports of busy restaurants and pubs .
It ’ s important to get the message out .
Listen to the message , take personal responsibility… reduce as much as possible social activity.
” Another pub set to close is Anseo .
In a statement on its Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street ’ s management said “ after discussing the situation at length ” it too has decided to close until March 29th .
“ This is not a hasty or panicked decision though it is a very difficult one , Anseo is a small family business and is our and our staff ’ s livelihood.
” One of Cork ’ s most successful publicans has decided to temporarily close over a dozen of his pubs in Cork for the next two weeks in response to calls for a public shut down to curb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benny McCabe , who owns the Rising Sons Brewery on Cornmarket Street and The Crane Lane Theatre as well as such landmark Cork pubs as The Oval , The Mutton Lane Inn , El Fenix and Sin E , made the announcement via Facebook .
In a statement posted today on Facebook , Mr McCabe said he has decided to close the pubs , which operate as Cork Heritage Pubs , until the end of March in the interests of his staff , his customers and the wider community in Cork .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night serving pints across Cork Heritage Pubs including Rising Sons until the end of March , ” said Mr McCabe in the Facebook post this afternoon .
“ We have worked on building this business over the last 25 years with the custom and support of the people of Cork and now is the time for solidarity across the city and wider regions with our healthcare workers and emergency services , “ Cork is a great City and we look forward to bringing you a couple of new venues and a new brewery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days are always ahead and I ’ d like to thank my family and partners and staff for everything to date , I know a lot are looking forward to the break in one way so they can focus on family etc .
“ Whether you are in business or worried about rent then contact your bank or landlord and of course suppliers and they will work with you and that ’ s a great comfort to all .
Mind yourselves and I ’ ll see you in a couple of weeks.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said his company , which has around 300 staff on its books , will continue to pay their employees for the duration of the two week shutdown which has been in planning for the past ten days or so .
“ The staff won ’ t be affected in that they will still have wages - they are not being laid off and people will be paid , ” said Mr McCabe , adding that very few pubs in the trade will make profits this year because of the Covid-19 crisis .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his 13 premises was born primarily out of a sense of social responsibility in that he believed closing the pubs was the right thing to do to try and curb the spread of Covid-19 .
“ I think the situation is moving faster on the ground than people think and I ’ m not going to wait for something to happen next week - we have a lot of older customers and I don ’ t want to be known as the fellow who stayed open.
” He instanced what was happening in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poland where bars are being shut and it was seeing such developments that prompted him to begin planning this shut down some ten days ago .
“ We spoke to the powers that be and we got the relevant information for the Revenue Commissioners , we spoke to the banks and Cork City Council and all we are doing is pressing ‘ Pause ’ on our business for a period.
” “ It ’ s not a catastrophe but it is inevitable there ’ s going to be a shut down here too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s the right thing to do for the integrity of our business and take it on the chin and do it now “ But just to leave you with one thought - exactly 100 years ago this year , Cork city was burnt to the ground and the city survived and came back and we will survive this and come back too.
” The move comes just days after the Cork Branch of the Vintners Federation warned of the impact of Covid-19 on the pub trade .
Chair of the Cork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland , Michael O ’ Donovan who said publicans in the city were facing a difficult period as people avoid large social gatherings on foot of government advice .

Dublin business owners say turnover is down more than 50 per cent due to coronavirus concerns. Some are providing hand sanitiser and enforcing social distancing measures, while others are closing down for the next fortnight.
Grogan’s, one of Dublin’s fabled literary pubs, is among several pubs that have announced they are closing their doors for the next fortnight due to coronavirus restrictions.
Grogan's, also known as the Castle Lounge on South William Street, has been a haven for artists since it was taken over by Cavan publican Tommy Smith and his business partner Paddy Kennedy in 1972.
It quickly built up a reputation as the successor to McDaid's as Dublin's most prominent bohemian pub. Its habitués, according to singer Christy Moore in his memoir, included "off-duty pimps, robbers and thieves, poets, actors, saints and spoilt priests".
Stay safe everyone❤ pic.twitter.com/v0y8W6Rmg4 — Grogans Castle Lounge (@GrogansPub) March 14, 2020
Doubling as an unofficial art gallery, with many artists displaying their art on the wall for sale, customers love the intimacy and old-school cosiness of the pub.
READ MORE
It's that very intimacy that has prompted joint owner Donal Smith, the son of Tommy, to close the pub as of midnight tonight for the next fortnight.
Grogan's, he has concluded, is simply too small to adhere to the Department of Health guidelines that people should keep a recommended two metres from each other.
Such a stipulation would be difficult in a big pub; impossible in one the size of Grogan’s with its little nooks and crannies. Besides, he adds, keeping that distance apart defeats the purpose of going to a pub.
The pub was reasonably full on Saturday afternoon with drinkers gathering around its little partitioned enclaves while a few regulars supped silently at the counter. Outside a large group of men sat under the awnings at the side of the pub enjoying what has passed for a spring day recently. So much for social distancing.
Mr Smith said he made the decision after consulting with Mr Kennedy who remains a partner in the business.
“It’s been playing on my mind for the last couple of days,” he said. The pub has closed before, once during Hurricane Ophelia and also during the Beast for the East, but only briefly.
“We’ve never seen anything like this, ever,” he suggests. Tommy Smith died last month at the age of 78 and warm tributes, including an obituary in The Irish Times, testified to his reputation as one of Dublin’s great publicans, but even he never had to confront the present circumstances.
“We have to do this, to try and get a handle on it. It’s impossible to keep people two metres away from each other,” Donal Smith said.
He and Mr Kennedy intend to“take the hit” and continue to pay the five full-time and nine part-time staff who work in Grogan’s.
"It's not about the money," he says. "It's about the health of the staff. Their parents could be older. We had to think about this. This is serious for everyone. Look at what happened in Italy. We have to contain this."
On Thursday the Government called for gatherings of more than 100 people indoors and 500 people outdoors to be cancelled.
However it has been left up to pubs to decide themselves if they will close or limit the numbers they allow into their premises as part of efforts to deal with coronavirus.
However on Saturday the State's Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan, delivered a strong warning about compliance with social distancing measures. "There are a lot of anecdotal reports of busy restaurants and pubs. It's important to get the message out. Listen to the message, take personal responsibility… reduce as much as possible social activity."
Another pub set to close is Anseo. In a statement on its Facebook page on Saturday, Anseo on Camden Street's management said "after discussing the situation at length" it too has decided to close until March 29th.
“This is not a hasty or panicked decision though it is a very difficult one, Anseo is a small family business and is our and our staff’s livelihood.”
Cork
One of Cork’s most successful publicans has decided to temporarily close over a dozen of his pubs in Cork for the next two weeks in response to calls for a public shut down to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Benny McCabe, who owns the Rising Sons Brewery on Cornmarket Street and The Crane Lane Theatre as well as such landmark Cork pubs as The Oval, The Mutton Lane Inn, El Fenix and Sin E, made the announcement via Facebook.
In a statement posted today on Facebook, Mr McCabe said he has decided to close the pubs, which operate as Cork Heritage Pubs, until the end of March in the interests of his staff, his customers and the wider community in Cork.
“Folks - Tonight will be our last night serving pints across Cork Heritage Pubs including Rising Sons until the end of March,” said Mr McCabe in the Facebook post this afternoon.
“We have worked on building this business over the last 25 years with the custom and support of the people of Cork and now is the time for solidarity across the city and wider regions with our healthcare workers and emergency services,
“Cork is a great City and we look forward to bringing you a couple of new venues and a new brewery over the next 12 months, better days are always ahead and I’d like to thank my family and partners and staff for everything to date, I know a lot are looking forward to the break in one way so they can focus on family etc.
“Whether you are in business or worried about rent then contact your bank or landlord and of course suppliers and they will work with you and that’s a great comfort to all. Mind yourselves and I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”
Speaking to The Irish Times Mr McCabe said his company, which has around 300 staff on its books, will continue to pay their employees for the duration of the two week shutdown which has been in planning for the past ten days or so.
“The staff won’t be affected in that they will still have wages - they are not being laid off and people will be paid,” said Mr McCabe, adding that very few pubs in the trade will make profits this year because of the Covid-19 crisis.
Mr McCabe said that his decision to close his 13 premises was born primarily out of a sense of social responsibility in that he believed closing the pubs was the right thing to do to try and curb the spread of Covid-19.
“I think the situation is moving faster on the ground than people think and I’m not going to wait for something to happen next week - we have a lot of older customers and I don’t want to be known as the fellow who stayed open.”
He instanced what was happening in countries such as Italy, Spain and Poland where bars are being shut and it was seeing such developments that prompted him to begin planning this shut down some ten days ago.
“We spoke to the powers that be and we got the relevant information for the Revenue Commissioners, we spoke to the banks and Cork City Council and all we are doing is pressing ‘Pause’ on our business for a period.”
“It’s not a catastrophe but it is inevitable there’s going to be a shut down here too like on the continent and I think it’s the right thing to do for the integrity of our business and take it on the chin and do it now
“But just to leave you with one thought - exactly 100 years ago this year, Cork city was burnt to the ground and the city survived and came back and we will survive this and come back too.”
The move comes just days after the Cork Branch of the Vintners Federation warned of the impact of Covid-19 on the pub trade.
Chair of the Cork City Branch of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, Michael O’Donovan who said publicans in the city were facing a difficult period as people avoid large social gatherings on foot of government advice.


theirishtimes--2020-03-14--Asthma Society ‘inundated’ with calls over coronavirus fears

The Asthma Society of Ireland has urged the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) to develop specific advice for people with long-term respiratory illnesses as fears grow about exposure to coronavirus .
Society chief executive Sarah O ’ Connor said the organisation has been “ inundated with calls ” from individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) about coronavirus .
Some 380,000 people in the Republic have asthma .
Another 250,000 are diagnosed with COPD along with an estimated 150,000 people who have respiratory problems , but who have not been diagnosed .
They are on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connor said : “ We haven ’ t been able to meet demand at all .
We are booked up until next Thursday evening with our nurses , though we have extended the hours of our free nurse advice line .
“ The levels of anxiety we have had have been absolutely unprecedented .
People are really worried and really afraid .
They are quite desperate to know that they are doing the right think to keep themselves or their loved ones safe.
” The fear of coronavirus is particularly pronounced for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hampers breathing and can cause death .
Ms O ’ Connor said the international data showed that people with existing respiratory conditions suffer worse outcomes and are more likely to need hospital treatment .
She said : “ The Asthma Society has been liaising continuously with the HSE over the past number of weeks in relation to this healthcare challenge .
“ We have communicated to the HSE the needs and very acute concerns of respiratory patients .
“ We welcome increased engagement from the HSE with patient organisations in the last 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided for people in vulnerable groups , such as those with a long-term respiratory illness.
” However , Ms O ’ Connor said the HSE needs to develop specific advice for people with long-term respiratory illnesses as they have done for other diseases like cancer .
“ People need to know that they are doing everything in their power to manage their illness and protect themselves from coronavirus .
They also need reassurance that they will receive the healthcare they need and that employers will recognise their particular vulnerability at this time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also need leadership on clinical best practice .
This guidance is best provided by the HSE.
” The Asthma Society is extending the hours of its COPD and asthma adviceline to meet increased demand .
It says it has developed its own frequently asked questions section on coronavirus for those with respiratory problems .
The advice is on the Asthma Society website at www.asthma.ie .

The Asthma Society is extending the hours of its adviceline to meet increased demand. Photograph: iStock
The Asthma Society of Ireland has urged the Health Service Executive (HSE) to develop specific advice for people with long-term respiratory illnesses as fears grow about exposure to coronavirus.
Society chief executive Sarah O’Connor said the organisation has been “inundated with calls” from individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) about coronavirus.
Some 380,000 people in the Republic have asthma. Another 250,000 are diagnosed with COPD along with an estimated 150,000 people who have respiratory problems, but who have not been diagnosed. They are on the vulnerable list.
Ms O’Connor said: “We haven’t been able to meet demand at all. We are booked up until next Thursday evening with our nurses, though we have extended the hours of our free nurse advice line.
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“The levels of anxiety we have had have been absolutely unprecedented. People are really worried and really afraid. They are quite desperate to know that they are doing the right think to keep themselves or their loved ones safe.”
The fear of coronavirus is particularly pronounced for those with lung conditions as the virus severely hampers breathing and can cause death.
Ms O’Connor said the international data showed that people with existing respiratory conditions suffer worse outcomes and are more likely to need hospital treatment.
She said:“The Asthma Society has been liaising continuously with the HSE over the past number of weeks in relation to this healthcare challenge.
“We have communicated to the HSE the needs and very acute concerns of respiratory patients.
“We welcome increased engagement from the HSE with patient organisations in the last 24 hours and updated advice that has been provided for people in vulnerable groups, such as those with a long-term respiratory illness.”
However, Ms O’Connor said the HSE needs to develop specific advice for people with long-term respiratory illnesses as they have done for other diseases like cancer.
“People need to know that they are doing everything in their power to manage their illness and protect themselves from coronavirus. They also need reassurance that they will receive the healthcare they need and that employers will recognise their particular vulnerability at this time,” she said.
“Healthcare professionals also need leadership on clinical best practice. This guidance is best provided by the HSE.”
The Asthma Society is extending the hours of its COPD and asthma adviceline to meet increased demand.
It says it has developed its own frequently asked questions section on coronavirus for those with respiratory problems. The advice is on the Asthma Society website at www.asthma.ie.


theirishtimes--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: Second death in Republic as US extends travel ban to Ireland

A male patient has become the second Covid-19-related death in the Republic .
The fatality comes after 39 new cases were announced on Saturday evening , bringing total infections in the State to 129 .
The person who died , a male in the east of the country , had an underlying condition .
Dr Tony Holohan , the chief medical officer , extended his condolences to the family and friends of this person .
The new cases are among 21 males and 10 females .
Some 21 are associated with the east of the country , 13 the south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two in the west .
The chief medical officer , Tony Holohan , delivered a strong warning about compliance with social distancing measures following anecdotal evidence that activity in pubs and restaurants would suggest recommendations are not being observed .
“ There are a lot of anecdotal reports of busy restaurants and pubs .
It ’ s important to get the message out .
Listen to the message , take personal responsibility… reduce as much as possible social activity.
” Meanwhile Ireland and Britain have been added to the United States ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect from 4 am Tuesday morning ( midnight US time ) .
Speaking in the White House , vice-president Mike Pence announced the decision to expand the list , after US president Donald Trump implied at a press conference on Friday that he could do so .
Mr Trump also confirmed that he had been tested for the coronavirus , as he took to the podium at the White House press room in Washington .
Under the restrictions , American citizens , green card holders and others are still allowed to return home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funnelled to 13 airports and be subjected to health screenings and quarantine orders , according to reports .
Acting Homeland Security Chief Chad Wolf said the president had “ made the decision due to the rising number of cases in the UK to apply these restrictions to both the UK and Ireland , so as we move forward again , these restrictions bar travel for certain foreign nationals who have been present in the UK or Ireland in the past 14 days.
” He added : “ to be clear , the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not apply to US citizens.
” Meanwhile the Irish Government is advising against all non-essential travel to Czech Republic , Cyprus , Denmark , Malta , Poland , Slovakia , Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said .
Meanwhile France announced on Saturday it will shut most shops , restaurants and entertainment facilities from midnight on Saturday and people should stay home as much as possible as the spread of coronavirus is accelerating .
Prime minister Edouard Philippe announced was speaking at a news conference after the public health authority said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost 4,500 were now infected .
“ I have decided to close all non-indispensable locations , notably cafes , restaurants , cinemas , nightclubs and shops , ” he said .
“ We must absolutely limit our movements.
” Earlier Minister from the North and the South of Ireland met in Armagh on Saturday .
Northern Ireland for the moment will continue to diverge from the Republic on how to address the coronavirus emergency , it became clear after the meeting .
While the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar , who also attended the meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borders ” the DUP First Minister Arlene Foster and the Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Michelle O ’ Neill held to opposing views on whether schools , universities and childcare facilities should be closed in Northern Ireland , as happened in the South .
Mr Varadkar said it was inevitable there would be differences in approach to tackling the crisis between the North and South .
“ But the differences that exist are mostly around timing , ” he added .
“ What there isn ’ t any difference about is our common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this virus in its tracks and push it back as much as possible and limit the harm to human health and human life.
” In Britain , the government is expected to introduce emergency laws next week to ban mass gatherings in an attempt to curb the coronavirus outbreak , an escalation of its crisis plan that critics had said was too relaxed .
British prime minister Boris Johnson has so far resisted pressure to take some of the stringent measures adopted by other European countries to slow the spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give the government the powers it needs to deal with coronavirus , including powers to stop mass gatherings and compensate organisations , ” a government source said .
Health authorities in England announced on Saturday a further 10 deaths caused by coronavirus , almost doubling the number of fatalities in Britain since Friday .

US president Donald Trump has extended his country's travel ban to include Ireland and the United Kingdom. Video: The White House
A male patient has become the second Covid-19-related death in the Republic. The fatality comes after 39 new cases were announced on Saturday evening, bringing total infections in the State to 129.
The person who died, a male in the east of the country, had an underlying condition. Dr Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer, extended his condolences to the family and friends of this person.
The new cases are among 21 males and 10 females. Some 21 are associated with the east of the country, 13 the south, three in the North West, and two in the west.
US President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters during a press briefing about coronavirus . Photograph Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, answers questions at a media briefing in the Department of Health where he issued updates on the Covid-19 cases in Ireland.Photograph by Crispin Rodwell for the Irish Times
The chief medical officer, Tony Holohan, delivered a strong warning about compliance with social distancing measures following anecdotal evidence that activity in pubs and restaurants would suggest recommendations are not being observed.
READ MORE
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, answers questions at a media briefing in the Department of Health where he issued updates on the Covid-19 cases in Ireland.Photograph by Crispin Rodwell for the Irish Times
“There are a lot of anecdotal reports of busy restaurants and pubs. It’s important to get the message out. Listen to the message, take personal responsibility… reduce as much as possible social activity.”
Travel ban
Meanwhile Ireland and Britain have been added to the United States' travel ban, with the restrictions taking effect from 4 am Tuesday morning (midnight US time).
Speaking in the White House, vice-president Mike Pence announced the decision to expand the list, after US president Donald Trump implied at a press conference on Friday that he could do so.
Mr Trump also confirmed that he had been tested for the coronavirus, as he took to the podium at the White House press room in Washington.
Under the restrictions, American citizens, green card holders and others are still allowed to return home to the US — but will be funnelled to 13 airports and be subjected to health screenings and quarantine orders, according to reports.
Acting Homeland Security Chief Chad Wolf said the president had “made the decision due to the rising number of cases in the UK to apply these restrictions to both the UK and Ireland, so as we move forward again, these restrictions bar travel for certain foreign nationals who have been present in the UK or Ireland in the past 14 days.”
US President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters during a press briefing about coronavirus . Photograph Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
He added: “to be clear, the president’s proclamation and these travel restrictions do not apply to US citizens.”
Meanwhile the Irish Government is advising against all non-essential travel to Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said.
French restrictions
Meanwhile France announced on Saturday it will shut most shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities from midnight on Saturday and people should stay home as much as possible as the spread of coronavirus is accelerating. Prime minister Edouard Philippe announced was speaking at a news conference after the public health authority said 91 people had died in France and almost 4,500 were now infected. “I have decided to close all non-indispensable locations, notably cafes, restaurants, cinemas, nightclubs and shops,” he said. “We must absolutely limit our movements.”
Earlier Minister from the North and the South of Ireland met in Armagh on Saturday. Northern Ireland for the moment will continue to diverge from the Republic on how to address the coronavirus emergency, it became clear after the meeting .
While the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who also attended the meeting, said coronavirus "did not recognise borders" the DUP First Minister Arlene Foster and the Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill held to opposing views on whether schools, universities and childcare facilities should be closed in Northern Ireland, as happened in the South.
Mr Varadkar said it was inevitable there would be differences in approach to tackling the crisis between the North and South. “But the differences that exist are mostly around timing,” he added.
“What there isn’t any difference about is our common objective, which is to slow down this virus in its tracks and push it back as much as possible and limit the harm to human health and human life.”
In Britain, the government is expected to introduce emergency laws next week to ban mass gatherings in an attempt to curb the coronavirus outbreak, an escalation of its crisis plan that critics had said was too relaxed.
Stringent measures
British prime minister Boris Johnson has so far resisted pressure to take some of the stringent measures adopted by other European countries to slow the spread of the virus.
“We have drafted emergency legislation to give the government the powers it needs to deal with coronavirus, including powers to stop mass gatherings and compensate organisations,” a government source said.
Health authorities in England announced on Saturday a further 10 deaths caused by coronavirus, almost doubling the number of fatalities in Britain since Friday.
– Additional reporting: Agencies


theirishtimes--2020-03-14--Special aerial tribute paid to crew of Rescue 116 who died three years ago

Members of the Irish Coast Guard have paid a special aerial tribute to the crew of Rescue 116 on the third anniversary of their deaths .
On March 14th 2017 Rescue 116 left Dublin Airport to support a rescue operation off Co Mayo for a fisherman who was injured west of Blacksod .
On its return to Dublin , the helicopter crashed while making an attempt to refuel .
All four crew members on board , Captain Dara Fitzpatrick , Chief Pilot Mark Duffy , winch operator Paul Ormsby , and winch man Ciáran Smith were killed .
The bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One Friday the replacement Rescue 116 rescued a woman cut off by the tide on Merrion Strand on Friday and dropped her back safely on the beach .
In an anniversary tribute to their late colleagues , the crew ofthe R116 paid a special tribute .
They used their automatic identification system ( AIS ) , like the footprint of the aircraft , to draw a heart in the sky and the letters and numbers R116 .
The Irish Coast Guard Dun Laoghaire Facebook page posted : “ The expression we heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guard personal today still feel now three years on about the loss .
We are ok but just ok. ” The Rescue 116 Facebook page administrators paid their own tribute .
“ For one minute/Walk outside/Stand there in silence/Look up to the skyAnd remember/How brave they were .
”

Coastguards watch the wreckage-recovery operation in Co Mayo in 2017. Photograph: Keith Heneghan/Phocus
Members of the Irish Coast Guard have paid a special aerial tribute to the crew of Rescue 116 on the third anniversary of their deaths.
On March 14th 2017 Rescue 116 left Dublin Airport to support a rescue operation off Co Mayo for a fisherman who was injured west of Blacksod.
On its return to Dublin, the helicopter crashed while making an attempt to refuel.
All four crew members on board, Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, Chief Pilot Mark Duffy, winch operator Paul Ormsby, and winch man Ciáran Smith were killed. The bodies of Smith and Ormsby were never found.
READ MORE
Members of the Irish Coast Guard have paid a special aerial tribute to the crew of Rescue 116 on the third anniversary of their deaths.
One Friday the replacement Rescue 116 rescued a woman cut off by the tide on Merrion Strand on Friday and dropped her back safely on the beach.
In an anniversary tribute to their late colleagues, the crew ofthe R116 paid a special tribute .
They used their automatic identification system (AIS), like the footprint of the aircraft, to draw a heart in the sky and the letters and numbers R116.
The Irish Coast Guard Dun Laoghaire Facebook page posted: “The expression we heard recently sums up how most Irish Coast Guard personal today still feel now three years on about the loss. We are ok but just ok.”
The Rescue 116 Facebook page administrators paid their own tribute. “For one minute/Walk outside/Stand there in silence/Look up to the skyAnd remember/How brave they were.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: New measures aim to safeguard food production, help farmers

The Department of Agriculture has introduced new measures to ensure food production , especially of fresh produce , is not interrupted by coronavirus – and to ensure farmers can continue to operate .
Farmers are entering their busiest time of the year , with hundreds of thousands of calves and lambs being produced over coming weeks and very large numbers of cattle movements for sales and export purposes .
Already Irish fresh food processors have been inundated with orders since Covid-19 restrictions were scaled up by the Government on Thursday with fresh food – meat , liquid milk and vegetables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent .
But the department has moved to ensure all agrifood production can continue as close to normal over coming weeks .
Marts , which are critical to beef and lamb supply chains , will continue to operate but with restrictions to gatherings of less than 100 people , especially in sales rings .
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said his department was taking the necessary steps to ensure producers and processors “ can continue to operate effectively and keep supply lines open ” .
In particular , the department was ensuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business of farming to operate by “ prioritising the delivery of essential services to farmers , fishermen and the food and forestry sectors ” .
That includes payment processing ; TB testing , animal welfare inspections , animal identification and passport issuing , testing for the infectious disease BVD , controls at livestock marts and animal export certification .
The department is also taking necessary steps so it can operate as effectively as possible during the current pandemic , he said .
“ Keeping food and other processing facilities operational , ensuring that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect farm incomes can continue and that fishermen can continue to land fish and place them on the market , are among the critical priorities for the department , ” it said in a statement .
In many instances these activities depend on the department ’ s ability to carry out its regulatory and inspection functions .
On agri-businesses – which depend on departmental supervision , inspection , control and certification to operate – the department said it was committed to providing the necessary services , notably in meat and milk plants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturers and suppliers , egg suppliers , suppliers of animal medicines and other agri-products – and in fisheries harbours .
There is no reason for consumers to be concerned about continuity of supply of Irish food and drinks , it added .
Senior department officials met Food Drink Ireland in recent days to discuss contingency planning for the food processing sector .
Food processors are implementing business continuity plans to deal with possible disruption .
“ There are no food safety implications arising from Covid-19 , and there is no evidence that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” it added .
In the longer term , however , there may be significant economic impacts for Irish business , including the agri-food sector , arising from reduced demand in key markets around the world , it noted .
Minister Creed has written to EU agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski , following the announcement of a major EU economic package to respond to the crisis , seeking to ensure the full range of market supports available under the Common Market Organisation Regulation are available for deployment in response to any emerging market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ I am deeply conscious of the impact of the Government ’ s necessary response to Covid-19 .
The measures announced are essential , and we need all citizens to assist in containing the threat and spread of the virus .
.
.
it is critically important that the Government response is co-ordinated through the Department of Health and the HSE , ” he added .
The department ’ s public offices will remain open for the present .
However , it is underlining a range of online facilities and information available to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As always , farmers should remember to observe basic biosecurity protocols and safety rules when working on the farm , ” it stressed .

Marts will continue to operate but with restrictions to gatherings of less than 100 people. File photograph: Bryan O Brien
The Department of Agriculture has introduced new measures to ensure food production, especially of fresh produce, is not interrupted by coronavirus – and to ensure farmers can continue to operate.
Farmers are entering their busiest time of the year, with hundreds of thousands of calves and lambs being produced over coming weeks and very large numbers of cattle movements for sales and export purposes.
Already Irish fresh food processors have been inundated with orders since Covid-19 restrictions were scaled up by the Government on Thursday with fresh food – meat, liquid milk and vegetables – orders up by more than 60 per cent.
But the department has moved to ensure all agrifood production can continue as close to normal over coming weeks.
READ MORE
Marts, which are critical to beef and lamb supply chains, will continue to operate but with restrictions to gatherings of less than 100 people, especially in sales rings.
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said his department was taking the necessary steps to ensure producers and processors “can continue to operate effectively and keep supply lines open”.
In particular, the department was ensuring animal-related matters can continue to enable the business of farming to operate by “prioritising the delivery of essential services to farmers, fishermen and the food and forestry sectors”.
That includes payment processing; TB testing, animal welfare inspections, animal identification and passport issuing, testing for the infectious disease BVD, controls at livestock marts and animal export certification.
The department is also taking necessary steps so it can operate as effectively as possible during the current pandemic, he said.
“Keeping food and other processing facilities operational, ensuring that payments and commercial activities that are necessary to protect farm incomes can continue and that fishermen can continue to land fish and place them on the market, are among the critical priorities for the department,” it said in a statement.
In many instances these activities depend on the department’s ability to carry out its regulatory and inspection functions.
On agri-businesses – which depend on departmental supervision, inspection, control and certification to operate – the department said it was committed to providing the necessary services, notably in meat and milk plants, marts, breeding establishments, feed manufacturers and suppliers, egg suppliers, suppliers of animal medicines and other agri-products – and in fisheries harbours.
There is no reason for consumers to be concerned about continuity of supply of Irish food and drinks, it added. Senior department officials met Food Drink Ireland in recent days to discuss contingency planning for the food processing sector.
Food processors are implementing business continuity plans to deal with possible disruption. “There are no food safety implications arising from Covid-19, and there is no evidence that the virus can be spread through food products,” it added.
In the longer term, however, there may be significant economic impacts for Irish business, including the agri-food sector, arising from reduced demand in key markets around the world, it noted.
Minister Creed has written to EU agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski, following the announcement of a major EU economic package to respond to the crisis, seeking to ensure the full range of market supports available under the Common Market Organisation Regulation are available for deployment in response to any emerging market disturbance in the agriculture sector.
''I am deeply conscious of the impact of the Government's necessary response to Covid-19. The measures announced are essential, and we need all citizens to assist in containing the threat and spread of the virus . . . it is critically important that the Government response is co-ordinated through the Department of Health and the HSE," he added.
The department’s public offices will remain open for the present. However, it is underlining a range of online facilities and information available to farmers via phone or email.
“As always, farmers should remember to observe basic biosecurity protocols and safety rules when working on the farm,” it stressed.


theirishtimes--2020-03-14--Coronavirus: HSE advises parents to carry on having play dates for children

The Health Service Executive ( HSE ) has reiterated its stance that there is no need for parents to have a complete ban on play dates .
It comes as playgrounds across Dublin were closed due to concerns over coronavirus .
It follows the closure of all schools and childcare facilities .
The advice would appear to be contrary that given by a number of medics who have said there should be no interaction between children from different families over the next fortnight .
In a statement issued on Saturday , the HSE said “ people have to live their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It recommended again that children and adults should wash their hands regularly , but it stopped short of recommending that play dates should be stopped .
The HSE said : “ It would be advisable to limit the number of children attending if you are organising a play date .
“ Teach your children how to interact , coughing etiquette and how to wash their hands properly .
If a child is sick they should not attend a play date or visit older relatives .
The National Public Health Emergency Team ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance for parents which will be posted on the HSE website .
At a briefing on Saturday the State ’ s chief medical officer said : “ We are aware in some parts of the country playground have closed , but I think our advice and guidance , and we need to be clear about this in terms of the advice and guidance we ’ ve made available through our website and continue to make available to parents , that in small numbers those kind of social experiences and exercise experiences for children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council has decided to close all of its children ’ s playgrounds in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus .
The council “ revised ” an earlier decision to keep many playgrounds in its area open after concerns were raised by councillors .
A spokeswoman for the council said the original decision had been not to shut playgrounds , but to instead place a sign up asking users to “ ensure hands are sanitised/washed thoroughly after using the playground ” .
This was due , she said , to practical difficulties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , they will now officially be closed even though these difficulties remain in many cases .
The u-turn comes after concerns were raised when councillors were told it was “ not possible ” to close playgrounds operated by the Council , while other local authorities have closed such facilities in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
Fingal County Council , Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council , South Dublin County Council and Clare County Council are among the local authorities to publicly state they are closing playgrounds but keeping parks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to current Dublin City Council Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon by Fine Gael councillor James Geoghagan on Friday night , the chief executive of the council has said it is “ not possible ” to close all playgrounds .
In the email , which was copied to all councillors and has been seen by The Irish Times , Cllr Geogrhan wrote : “ I wrote the Chief Executive this morning inquiring as to whether DCC playgrounds would be shut and I was told that this had been looked at within ( the ) Parks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to to do with all playgrounds and that signage was being looked at.
” Cllr Geoghegan , who represents the Pembroke area of the South City , said that the official medical advice is that children should not be taken to playgrounds “ but this is not being adhered to or is advice that may not be known by parents ” .
“ DCC should announce before tomorrow morning that all their playgrounds are closed and erect signage or lock gates where possible without preventing access to Parks which is essential for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The more congregating of children in playgrounds , the greater the likelihood of the virus spreading and negating some of the objectives of the school closures .
”

Fingal County Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Clare County Council are among the local authorities to publicly state they are closing playgrounds. Photograph: iStock
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has reiterated its stance that there is no need for parents to have a complete ban on play dates.
It comes as playgrounds across Dublin were closed due to concerns over coronavirus. It follows the closure of all schools and childcare facilities .
The advice would appear to be contrary that given by a number of medics who have said there should be no interaction between children from different families over the next fortnight.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the HSE said “people have to live their lives, children have to play”.
READ MORE
It recommended again that children and adults should wash their hands regularly, but it stopped short of recommending that play dates should be stopped.
The HSE said: “It would be advisable to limit the number of children attending if you are organising a play date.
“Teach your children how to interact, coughing etiquette and how to wash their hands properly. If a child is sick they should not attend a play date or visit older relatives.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is currently working up comprehensive guidance for parents which will be posted on the HSE website.
At a briefing on Saturday the State’s chief medical officer said: “We are aware in some parts of the country playground have closed, but I think our advice and guidance, and we need to be clear about this in terms of the advice and guidance we’ve made available through our website and continue to make available to parents, that in small numbers those kind of social experiences and exercise experiences for children may still be appropriate.”
Playgrounds
Dublin City Council has decided to close all of its children's playgrounds in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The council “revised” an earlier decision to keep many playgrounds in its area open after concerns were raised by councillors.
A spokeswoman for the council said the original decision had been not to shut playgrounds, but to instead place a sign up asking users to “ensure hands are sanitised/washed thoroughly after using the playground”.
This was due, she said, to practical difficulties in preventing access to many playgrounds. However, they will now officially be closed even though these difficulties remain in many cases.
The u-turn comes after concerns were raised when councillors were told it was “not possible” to close playgrounds operated by the Council, while other local authorities have closed such facilities in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Fingal County Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council and Clare County Council are among the local authorities to publicly state they are closing playgrounds but keeping parks open.
According to an email sent to current Dublin City Council Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon by Fine Gael councillor James Geoghagan on Friday night, the chief executive of the council has said it is "not possible" to close all playgrounds.
In the email, which was copied to all councillors and has been seen by The Irish Times, Cllr Geogrhan wrote: "I wrote the Chief Executive this morning inquiring as to whether DCC playgrounds would be shut and I was told that this had been looked at within (the) Parks (department) but was not possible to to do with all playgrounds and that signage was being looked at."
Cllr Geoghegan, who represents the Pembroke area of the South City, said that the official medical advice is that children should not be taken to playgrounds "but this is not being adhered to or is advice that may not be known by parents".
“DCC should announce before tomorrow morning that all their playgrounds are closed and erect signage or lock gates where possible without preventing access to Parks which is essential for people to safely recreate.”
He warned: “The more congregating of children in playgrounds, the greater the likelihood of the virus spreading and negating some of the objectives of the school closures.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-15--Coronavirus: Varadkar may seek enforcement powers on mass gatherings in pubs

The Government may seek enforcement powers to stop mass gatherings in pubs and clubs , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said , reacting to images showing a packed Dublin bar over the weekend .
Mr Varadkar tweeted on Sunday morning that the Government ’ s direction that “ no indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people applies to pubs and clubs.
” He said he has asked the State ’ s National Public Health Emergency Team for “ further expert guidance on this ” and that he “ may seek enforcement powers from Dáil/Seanad.
” “ People who have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with seniors or people with chronic diseases .
You could make them very , very sick , ” Mr Varadkar tweeted .
A total of 129 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Ireland , after 39 new cases were announced on Saturday evening , along with a second death in a patient who was infected with coronavirus .
Images shared on social media of a packed pub in Temple Bar in Dublin city centre sparked public outrage that some members of the public were not following the Government ’ s guidance on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
Minister for Health Simon Harris has described the video circulating on social media as an “ insult ” to the efforts of nurses and doctors working to prepare for a pandemic .
It comes as a growing number of pubs and restaurants have decided to close their doors due to coronavirus , some finding it difficult to implement social distancing measures .
Chief executive the Restaurant Association of Ireland , Adrian Cummins , urged the Government to close all licensed premises .
He sent a tweet to Mr Harris and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appealing to you - trigger the closure of licensed premises ” , he wrote on Saturday night .
“ Our staff are appealing for it .
Social Distancing is not being observed by customers .
IT ’ s responsible and it ’ s leadership ” There has also been a growing call on social media for pubs to close their doors with the hashtag # CloseThePubs trending on social media .
Among them oncologist Professor John Crown who tweeted on Saturday night .
“ The bars and club need to be closed tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delay is very unwise and very unfamiliar .
Some very heroic ICU , respiratory and infectious disease nurses , doctors and other staff are now placing themselves in harms way Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin tweeted “ A message to those in our pubs and restaurants who are ignoring # COVI 19 recommendations on social distancing .
You may think you ’ re fit and healthy and unstoppable , but you ’ re jeopardising people who aren ’ t .
Please think of them and follow the advice .
We can beat this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McDonald tweeted : “ Today we had a second # coronavirus death .
The virus is here and spreading .
This is a public health emergency .
It is important to stay at home and keep all contact to a minimum .
So no parties , no gigs , no pubs , no clubs.Stay home .
Stay apart from people .
Stay in touch with people.
” However Fine Gael TD Helen McEntee wrote : “ A decision to close pubs restaurants and other outlets will have a devastating impact on so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health advice and take this seriously then that ’ s where this is headed .
Please think about your actions ” On Saturday Grogan ’ s , one of Dublin ’ s fabled literary pubs , was among several pubs to announces it is closing its door for the next fortnight due to coronavirus restrictions .
In a statement posted on its Twitter page , the management of Grogan ’ s Castle Lounge on William Street said that due to the “ small size of our pub it is impossible to ensure our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing ” .
It said it would close on Saturday night until March 29th .
It said the decision was made following advice from the Government and Licensed Vintners ’ Association in relation to public gatherings .
On Thursday the Government called for gatherings of more than 100 people indoors and 500 people outdoors to be cancelled .
However it has been left up to pubs to decide themselves if they will close or limit the numbers they allow into their premises as part of efforts to deal with coronavirus .
However on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officer Tony Holohan , delivered a strong warning about compliance with social distancing measures .
“ There are a lot of anecdotal reports of busy restaurants and pubs .
It ’ s important to get the message out .
Listen to the message , take personal responsibility… reduce as much as possible social activity.
” Another pub set to close is Anseo .
In a statement on its Facebook page on Saturday , Anseo on Camden Street ’ s management said “ after discussing the situation at length ” it too has decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Cork ’ s most successful publicans has decided to temporarily close over a dozen of his pubs in Cork for the next two weeks in response to calls for a public shut down to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus .
Benny McCabe , who owns the Rising Sons Brewery on Cornmarket Street and The Crane Lane Theatre as well as such landmark Cork pubs as The Oval , The Mutton Lane Inn , El Fenix and Sin E , made the announcement via Facebook .

All pubs and nightclubs in Temple Bar in Dublin will close their premises with immediate effect ‘in the interest of public health’ and following advice from the Garda and health authorities. Photograph: iStock
The Government is calling on all pubs to close from tonight until at least March 29th in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus.
The request was made following a meeting at Government Buildings with the Vintners Federation of Ireland and the Licensed Vintners Association, which represent the country’s 7,000 pubs. The announcement covers all public houses and bars, including hotel bars.
The vintners told the Government that they had “real difficulty” implementing the guidelines introduced last week limiting social contact and keeping crowds below the recommended limit of 100 in an indoor setting, given that pubs promote “social interaction”.
Temple Bar Company Statement #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/zrd5s5JrRG — Love Temple Bar (@LoveTempleBar) March 15, 2020 Not far from here, nurses & doctors are working to prepare for the impact of a global pandemic. Everyone is working 24/7. This is an insult to their efforts. There is very clear public health advice. Follow it. All options will be kept under constant review #CoronaVirusUpdates https://t.co/XQvJ7tC13D — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) March 14, 2020
In addition, the Government has asked members of the public not to organise or participate in any parties in private houses or other venues, which would put other people’s health at risk.
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The vast majority of the public and pub owners complied with last week’s request, the Government acknowledged, but it made the new request as it believed it was important that all pubs be closed ahead of St Patrick’s Day on Tuesday, traditionally one of the busiest days for the pub trade.
The closure of pubs was recommended after video was shared on social media over the weekend showed a packed pub in Temple Bar, Dublin, flouting the Government’s advice on social distancing and that indoor gatherings of more than 100 people be cancelled.
“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,” the Government’s official statement said on Sunday.
The effectiveness of the social distancing guidelines in other parts of the hospitality and leisure industry such as in restaurants and cinemas will be kept under review over the coming days.
The two vintners groups supported the Government’s decision and urged all members to close in line with the request. Both sides discussed support measures for affected businesses and staff.
“The Government will continue to monitor the situation, including the compliance of all pubs with this request, as well as any further or different measures which might be required in the future,” said the Government in the statement.
Earlier all pubs and nightclubs in Temple Bar, the popular nightlife district of Dublin, announced they would close with immediate effect, the company that manages the area said.
The company said that it was making the decision “in the interest of public health” and following advice from the Garda and the health authorities.
The decision came in the wake of mounting public and political outrage after video footage posted on social media.
“This decision was taken in light of the experiences of members of The Temple Bar Company over the last few days when it proved impossible to follow the public health advice to limit numbers and adequately implement measures on to control social distancing,” the firm said.
Minister for Health Simon Harris said the move by all bars and clubs in Temple Bar to close voluntarily with immediate effect was a “sensible decision”.
Enforcement powers
On Sunday morning Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Government may seek enforcement powers to stop mass gatherings in pubs and clubs.
Mr Varadkar tweeted on Sunday morning that the Government’s direction that “no indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people applies to pubs and clubs”.
He said he had asked the State’s National Public Health Emergency Team for “further expert guidance on this” and that he “may seek enforcement powers from Dáil/Seanad”.
“People who have been out this weekend should avoid physical contact with seniors or people with chronic diseases. You could make them very, very sick,” Mr Varadkar tweeted.
It comes as the head of the HSE, Paul Reid, called on people to “cop on” and comply with public health advice.
Mr Harris described the video circulating on social media as an “insult” to the efforts of nurses and doctors working to prepare for a pandemic.
The head of the Restaurants Association of Ireland on Sunday urged the Government to announce “a lockdown” of all licensed premises for at least two weeks.
Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, made the call after making a dramatic appeal for action to the Government on Saturday, warning that “social distancing” was not being observed by customers.
Staff were being put at risk, he said in a post on social media. “The decisions we make in the next two weeks will be for the next 100 years in the country. We need to make tough, tough decisions now for the safety of people, our families, our staff and our nation,” Mr Cummins told The Irish Times on Sunday morning.
New cases
Forty new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the Republic on Sunday, bringing the total in the State to 169. There are 214 cases on the island of Ireland after 11 new cases were confirmed in Northern Ireland on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases there to 45.
The Government on Sunday night announced new measures that will allow employers to keep paying workers at least the jobseeker rate of €203 a week if companies have to cease trading amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The move will allow all employees who lose work due to the Covid-19 pandemic to continue receiving income and to retain their link with employers. The system will allow employees to be paid quickly and enable employers to claim refunds on these payments from the State.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is also simplifying the application process for jobseeker’s allowance to encourage people to apply online. This will help keep people away from social welfare offices where queues could form, which could increase exposure to the virus.