The government is reportedly set to announce a ban on all mass gatherings until August or September

The government has agreed that all mass gatherings in Ireland will be banned until August at the earliest due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The decision that all mass gatherings will be banned until the autumn was taken at a cabinet meeting earlier today, according to multiple reports. Mass gatherings are seen as events 5,000 people or more in attendance. The government remains hopeful that sporting events and concerts that would attract more than 5,000 people will be able to take place on a limited basis from September. Over the weekend, Health Minister Simon Harris indicated that he does not envisage major sporting events going ahead for the rest of 2020 before Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said a plan is being drawn up for 'staged lifting of restrictions'. This plan is due to be released in late April or early May. Events that could be affected by the new ruling throughout the summer include the GAA All-Ireland Championships as well as multiple concerts and music festivals scheduled to take place around the country. More to follow...