All sporting events suspended in Ireland

The Irish Prime Minister on Tuesday urged all citizens to stay at home and practice social distancing to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. Speaking at a news conference in Dublin, Leo Varadkar said "we believe we need to do more to flatten the curve."

Varadkar announced the closure of several businesses including theatres, clubs, bingo halls and non-essential retail outlets, and said restaurants and cafes should only offer takeaway meals. He said all sports events, indoors and outdoors were cancelled.

Varadkar stressed that outdoor gatherings were limited to a maximum of four people, excluding families and said park rangers would be monitoring for social distancing.

He said Garda, the state police force of the Republic of Ireland would intervene to ensure compliance with the new rules. Most patients who contract the new coronavirus develop only mild symptoms and recover after about two weeks.

But the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those with no visible symptoms. For older adults and people with underlying health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

Globally, the coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 395,000 people and killed over 17,000. More than 103,000 people have recovered so far, mostly in China.