LEO Varadkar has said the Government will not close Ireland's borders.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, he said: "We are not going to close our borders.

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2 Leo Varadkar made the announcement this afternoon

2 Airports will remain open to help Irish people return home Credit: Garrett White

"We need to keep our borders open for Irish people coming home."

'NUMBER OF WEEKS'

Varadkar said he cannot say how long the current escalated measures to tackle Covid-19 will last but there has been some slowdown in the rate of new cases.

He added: "I can't answer that now - it is going to take a number of weeks.

"It depends on how things develop in the next few weeks."

"We are seeing some evidence of a slowdown in the rate of new cases but it is too soon to make a judgement on that and I'd rather leave those calls to the experts."

PRIVATE HOSPITAL AGREEMENT

Varadkar also said that an agreement has been reached with private hospitals to use their facilities during the coronavirus crisis.

He added: "As part of the plan to urgently ramp up capacity for acute healthcare facilities, an agreement has been reached with private hospitals association to use their facilities for the treatment of Covid-19.

"The plan is to use private hospitals as part of the public system as a partnership on a temporary basis to provide essential services.

"Private hospitals may also be used for urgent non-Covid-19 elective procedures to free up capacity in major private hospitals.

"This is not the nationalisation of hospitals.

"This is a public private partnership, expanding our public health service in response to this emergency, but also co-operation with the private sector."

'ALL HANDS ON DECK'

Leo continued: "We're in the middle of a national public health emergency, and we need to do all we can to increase the capacity of our hospitals so we can provide critical care to those who need it.

"It's all hands on deck in this national effort, and I am very pleased that the private hospitals have agreed to come on board and make their facilities available.

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"The public and private sectors are tooling up and working together for the common good.

"The Government will take all the necessary steps to increase our hospital capacity and it's more important than ever for each and every one of us to do all we can in our own lives to flatten the curve, suppress and stop the spread of the coronavirus.

"Stay at home, and wash your hands regularly."