FEVER PITCH
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IRELAND’S Six Nations clash with Italy is to be kicked into touch over coronavirus fears.
Health Minister Simon Harris will IRFU bosses today but said he had no choice but to cancel the March 7 tie at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
He added: “A large number of people would be travelling from what is an infected region.”
There are concerns for students who returned from Italy, while Irish tourists are among those in quarantine at a Tenerife hotel.
IRELAND’S crucial Six Nations rugby clash against Italy was set to be scrapped last night over fears of the spread of coronavirus.
Health Minister Simon Harris will meet the IRFU today advising that the March 7 game at the Aviva Stadium, which would have attracted more than 50,000 fans, should not go ahead.
Following a meeting with the National Public Health Emergency Team last night, Mr Harris said: “The very clear view was that the game should not go ahead.
“That it would constitute a significant risk because a very large number of people would be travelling from what is now an infected region.
“I know it will come as a great disappointment to many, but it is important to make decisions about public health above and beyond all other considerations.”
A spokesman responded last night: “The IRFU is seeking an urgent meeting with Minister Harris as to the specific reasoning behind calling for the cancellation of the Ireland v Italy Six Nations fixture in the context of the Government’s overall travel policy to and from Italy and other affected countries.” In a tweet after the IRFU
statement last night, Mr Harris added: “Today’s decision was not taken lightly but we must act on the basis of public health advice.”
Chief medical officer in the Department of Health Dr Tony Holohan said he was happy to explain the decision to IRFU chiefs.
He told RTE: “The rugby match would have involved people travelling from an area we’ve now added to the list of affected countries where we believe there is community transmission. And we think there would be a high number of imported cases from that area of the world.
“The match is due on March 7 which is less than one incubation period away from now.
“So no other responsible action on public health grounds could be taken, other than the one we made today after our meeting of the Public Health Emergency Team, which I chair.”
Meanwhile, more than 120 students are on high alert after travelling back from infected Italian resorts.
Pupils from schools in
Dublin, Waterford and Kildare visited Italian ski resorts while one Cork school travelled to Milan.
More than 80 Waterford students from three separate schools have been identified as “high risk” having visited the Andalo, Trentino and Folgaria regions.
RTE journalist Philip Boucher-hayes tweeted last night: “56 second year pupils in Presentation College Bray, Co Wicklow, returned from affected region in Lombardy on Friday. Seven did not attend school on Monday due to mild flu like symptoms.” Concerned parents have expressed frustration over the lack of care given to their children on their arrival back in Ireland.
One Cork mother, who did not want to be named, told the Irish Mirror: “My daughter returned late last week having been in Italy on a school trip and is worried.
“There was a big group of them and they flew back into Dublin Airport and not one of them was scanned, it’s a disgrace.
“It’s frightening to think our airports aren’t checking everyone that has flown in from Italy.”
A spokesman for the Department of Education said it had updated information for schools, pre-schools and third-level institutions.
He added: “Public health doctors are available to liaise with schools and advise on precautions if staff and/or students have any concerns.”
The HSE has confirmed there are no cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.
The Department of Foreign Affairs was last night updating its travel advice following the NPHET meeting.
It will now advise people not to travel to Japan, Iran, Hong Kong, South Korea and the four regions of Italy – Lombardy, Veneto, Emiliaromagna and Piedmont – as well as mainland China where the virus first broke out.
Mr Harris said there are plans to step up visibility of checks on passengers at airports.
He added 90 suspected coronavirus cases here have tested negative.
Meanwhile, several Irish people are among 1,000 people in lockdown on the “holiday from hell” at a Tenerife hotel after two Italian tourists tested positive.
A Cork woman who arrived back from the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel on the island on Monday has decided to self-isolate until she receives further information from the HSE. All
guests received a note slipped under their bedroom door warning to stay in their room.
One Dublin man said he was waiting to be tested for the virus by a doctor. The man, who did not want to be named, is in Tenerife with friends and said staff have not been allowed to leave the hotel while bars and cafes on site have been closed.
A staff member at an Irish bar near the hotel said the area is very popular for Irish tourists but they have not noticed any panic among residents. Craig, who works at The Temple Bar, told the Irish Mirror people have been “out and about” as normal and has yet to speak to any tourists who are alarmed about coronavirus. A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed a number of Irish nationals holidaying in Tenerife have contacted them. She said: “The Department and our Embassy in Madrid are closely monitoring the situation. We are in touch with the local health and tourist authorities.
“Anyone who has specific concerns regarding Irish citizens currently in the affected area can contact the department on 01 4082527.”
A Dublin woman who was due to fly out to Tenerife with her husband yesterday decided not to travel
Joan Behan from Walkinstown told RTE’S Liveline: “I’m sitting in the dining room in Costa Del Walkinstown. I got a phone call from my son who is literally panicking.
“He said, ‘Did you see the news’. At that moment my heart started racing.
And I said to myself, ‘Oh God I have to think about this’, and started to panic a little bit.
“The thoughts of putting myself and my husband in danger and then coming back here if you did get something and you didn’t know until you came back... I’d feel so responsible.”
President of the Irish Travel Agents Association John Spollen added: “This is a fast-moving situation. Our advice is to speak to your travel agent and get good advice from the experts.
“Follow advice of local authorities on the ground and take all preventative measures as recommended.”
Decision was not taken lightly but we must act on basis of public health advice
SIMON HARRIS YESTERDAY