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THE EUROPEAN UNION will impose an entry ban on travellers from outside the bloc for 30 days to battle the spread of the coronavirus, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said.
Member states “agreed to impose an entry ban” into the bloc, with only nationals of EFTA countries and Britain exempt from the restriction, said Merkel.
“That should apply for 30 days. Germany will implement it immediately,” she added.
With countries severely curtailing travel to prevent COVID-19 contagion, Germany had earlier issued a warning against travel worldwide.
The bloc is taking “coordinated action to bring back stranded travellers,” said Merkel.
In a statement this evening, the Irish government said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and other EU leaders in a video conference discussed managing external borders, ensuring the supply of medicines, equipment and goods and cooperating to bring people home from other countries.
They endorsed Commission proposals on non-essential travel and on managing borders. They agreed that in all matters they would do whatever it takes to protect citizens in the face of an unprecedented crisis, and that they would continue work together on this.
The Taoiseach emphasised the need for the Union to use all tools available to it to maximum effect to protect life and to minimise damage. He highlighted the need also to work together to bring citizens stranded abroad – in Spain and further afield – safely home.
During the video call, leaders also discussed mitigating the economic shock and damage, including for jobs and SMEs and supporting research to find a vaccine.
They agreed to meet again next week by video conference in place of their scheduled meeting in Brussels.
- © AFP 2020 with reporting by Michelle Hennessy.
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The best moment, was big jack yelling at the Combat18 scmbags to f off and go home
@Niall O’Shea: Yer man fairly Sh&T himself when big Jack grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.
@Niall O’Shea: not even close..it was watching the Gardaí baton the she ite out of them and spilling a bit of claret in the process…priceless.
RTE need to replace that Rosie movie tonight with something more light hearted – talk about doom and gloom.
@wormtubes: havnt looked yea.but a could comedy is needed..
@wormtubes: Reruns of previous World Cup / Euro Games with the RTE panel of Bill and the lads from 88,90 etc …Cmon RTE
@wormtubes: a bit of nostalgia always works wonders at a time like this
@wormtubes: first thing I thought of when I seen the ads about two weeks was: that’s a miserable film for st Patrick’s day, never mind what’s gone on since, I’m sure it will be good but by Jesus we do do misery really well.what I wouldn’t give for the big labowski/ life of Brian/ blazing saddles or the blues brothers
@wormtubes: i agree.its a very good well acted movie but christ the timing is bad.
@Stan Kowalskis: 100%especially after miseryguts Claire Byrne last night. Turned it off after 10 mins, I appreciate its times serious but she is so depressing.
@wormtubes: they haven’t a clue
Packie saving the penalty was immense. Then up stepped big Dave!
@FrontSeatDriver:
I had the great Life’s fortune to be there in Genoa at the game that day. I was right behind the goal…I was in early 20s … but there was a elderly Man from Dublin beside us who was going to games since 1950s …he couldn’t bear to watch the penalty shoot-out and I kid you not he knelt down facing the opposite direction clutching a set of a Rosary beads …as the penalty shoot was in progress !
Needless say the delirium that followed Packie’s save & David O’Learys winning strike …well the rest is history !
My only small nit pick with the program .. was it never conveyed how close we came to beating the Italians ..while Schilacci scored the winning goal….Ireland had 2 or 3 great chances which were saved by Walter Zenga , one of the great all time goalkeepers !
Although we lost, the quarter final against Italy in Rome always fills me with immense pride ,it’s the night we arrived on the international stage,a few thousand Irish flags amongst a vast bank of Italians,fantastic atmosphere and occasion,they done us proud!!!
@David Devereaux: yes it was an incredible night .. in the 70,000 seater stadium …. I think the Irish managed to secure 15,000 tickets on the night ….. and the Paddys out sang the the majority almost 50,000 Italians for most of the game … it was a special night …
And afterwards the Irish crowd sang and chanted in the stadium for about 45 mins to 1 hr until Big Jack Charlton … appeared
Of course before Big Jack came out …. the one and only Charles J Haughey ( Taoiseach ) came down on to the pitch to salute the Irish Crowd .. from memory, I don’t think he got the welcome / adulation he was expecting …. And quickly exited stage left .. :()
Robbie Keane goal v Germany 2002
@Ron: you didn’t watch the documentary now did you?
@James Doherty: Correct James. My 14 day old baby might have stopped me.
@Ron: did or didn’t?
@Ron: haha….Zing!! Congrats Ron….enjoy every minute of it! You will have time to watch things again at some stage, don’t worry!
@Ron: Mick MC Carthy was manager for that one.
@James Doherty: in fairness the question doesnt mention Jack Charlton it just says boys in green so it’s ok if that is his favorite moment!!
@Mark O Brien: “Boys in green” was the title of the documentary
Congratulations on your new bundle of joy.
Was in Rome when the Italians beat us 1-nil.
When the final whistle blew ever Irish person in the stadium stood up and sang fir about 20 mins. The locals looked on in amazement and applauded the Irish fans, we swapped scarves, jerseys and hugged. Special memory.
Jack trying not to smile when timofte missed..
Houghtons lob vs Italy , still remember the commentary , “Baresi , onto it comes Houghton , Rrraayyyyy Houghton” . Class Moment
@Ríain HenC:
I met Ray in person, in 2006 the FAI had their AGM in Mayo, as part of the football week as part of the AGM where they traveled around all the Mayo League clubs. On the Tuesday night they were at our club Killala FC where they opened out new Astra turf pitch. At the endd of the evening he enquired what was out normel pub but alas before he could get away he was nabed by a FAI official to get on the bus and move on to Castlebar.
In the last game before they went to USA in 94, they played a friendly against Austria, our U12′s was ballboys, one of the lads was behind one of the goals, Casscarino came warming up at their end, his biro stopped working, Cassa ran back to the dugout and got im a new biro. Unlike another famous player at the time, he was not part of the squad for that game but was on the pitch afterwards, when the lads asked him for his autograph he walked past theem if they were not there
Roberto baggio still in Paul McGrath’s pocket
Packies save is the defining image of italia 90 really. I feel for dave o leary a bit! Tremendous times, Houghton in New Jersey was a great moment also
You’d have to be of a certain age for one of these to be your moment, you need to have lived the game as it happened to make it special, Mc Ateer against Holland in lansdowne was a great moment for me
Looking back both of Ray’s goals were amazing but there was a lot of game to be played so was so tense. With O’Learys penalty you knew it meant we were into the last 8
Niall Quinn scoring against Holland in Italia 90.
The sound of mahogany on stupid when the riot squad eventually arrived. It wasn’t in the programme exactly but I was on the south terrace that night and it was quite a thing.
Although we lost the game ,the quarter final against Italy in Rome always fills me with immense pride,it’s the night we arrived on the world stage,a few thousand Irish flags amongst a vast bank of Italians,a great atmosphere and occasion,The team done us proud on the night.
My favourite moment was in The Salmon Leap Bar with all the die hard fans in Leixlip on the Wed 11th Nov 87 when Scotland beating Bulgaria that kicked off the Adventure for the county. I remember having to leave the pub as no singing or music allowed and driving up the main st beeping our car horns and people looking at us in bewilderment not having a clue what we were celebrating. Ended up in the Hitchin Post and Gaa club of all places!!
I have to say the Ronnie Whelan goal v USSR, I was at the match in Hannover with a couple of pals, we all missed the goal as we were just going down before we jumped up before the Mexican wave.
Only saw it on TV after the match, was brilliant craic there
Although we lost,the quarter final in Rome against Italy always fills me with pride,it’s the night we arrived on the international stage and such a great event to be part of.The few thousand Irish flags amongst the vast bank of Italians ,a special night.They dome is proud!!!
@David Devereaux: alright Dave we got it….quarter final v Italy!!
@Joe Kennedy: did I mention Rome?
@David Devereaux: haha….think you did somewhere yeah.
@David Devereaux: Whenever it says
@Kevin Maughan: Whenever it says “There’s a problem posting your comment” don’t keep hitting post as it’ll keep repeating!
@Kevin Maughan: and be careful not to hit the post button in the middle of
@Kevin Maughan: I got that
Halcyon days
My Favorite moment was the police battering the shit out of the English.
Someone should reshow all the games from Euro 88 from first round to Final.
Even the middle aged among us only have vague memories of it.
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