Covid-19 update: No cancellation of large gatherings at this juncture

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the government is not recommending that any planned large public gatherings be cancelled "at this stage."

He also appealed for people not to take unilateral action when it comes to closing schools or cancelling events.

The decision comes as the organising committee behind the St Patrick's Day parade in Youghal, Co Cork, said the parade has been cancelled due to concerns about Covid-19.

In a statement, the organisers said: "The health of our community is our primary concern."

The St. Patrick's Day festival in Dublin attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world.

The organisers of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Castlebar said the event is going ahead subject to the HSE indicating otherwise.

Speaking at government buildings after a meetings of stakeholders to discuss the issue, Deputy Varadkar said they would continue to evaluate the situation.

Depeuty Varadkar said that the Defence Forces are not needed at this stage but that the government may ask retired health professionals to come back into service in the coming weeks.

Asked if they might cancel St Patrick's events at a late stage, Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said that would be possible if the advice indicated such a move should be taken.