Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are both in the play-offs.

Dr Alan Stout, the British Medical Assosciation's NI GP Committee chairman, tells BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback "you can't fail to be impressed at Leo Varadkar and the decision that he's made".

"In Northern Ireland we are seeing a huge volume of concerned patients coming through, we are referring people and we are now struggling to get swabs done and the guidance is changing very, very rapidly," he said.

Dr Stout said the taoiseach's decision “moves the delivery of how medical services are provided to a different level" adding it is "what we are needing and looking for here".

Two more people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of UK deaths to 10.

There are now 590 confirmed cases in the UK, up from 456 on Wednesday - with 491 in England, 60 in Scotland, 20 in Northern Ireland and 19 in Wales.

It comes as the government is expected to announce within hours that it is stepping up its coronavirus response.

Image source, PA Media

It is anticipated the UK will switch to tactics aimed at delaying its spread, rather than containing it.

The latest two deaths were an 89-year-old at Charing Cross Hospital in London and a woman in her 60s at Queen's Hospital in Romford, NHS England said. They both had underlying health conditions.

Hospital and care home visits may be restricted because of the increase in cases of coronavirus, according to the Department of Health.

The department has recommended one adult visitor per day unless circumstances are exceptional.

It said it does not expect normal business will be possible "as we move into the next phase of this pandemic".

Image source, STURTI

In a statement, the department said it wanted to emphasise "there is no blanket ban on visits to hospitals or other care settings at this stage".

The department said people should follow the following guidelines:

• Do not visit if you are unwell yourself.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after visiting and use the hand sanitiser gel provided.
• Ask yourself if your visit is essential.
• One adult visitor per day only, unless in exceptional circumstances and following discussion with the ward sister or equivalent.
• Attend outpatients either alone or only accompanied by one adult.
• Check in advance and follow any localised arrangements which hospitals and other care settings have put in place.

Image source, Inpho

The GAA has suspended all activity in the GAA, Camogie Association and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association at club, county and educational levels until March 29 from midnight on Thursday.

This is to include all games, training and team gatherings at all ages and all grades.

In a statement it said: "We will continue to liaise with Government officials and review the situation between now and the end of the month, assessing the impact of these measures on our competitions.

"In the meantime, the Association is encouraging all members to continue to follow the guidelines which have been provided by the Health Authorities."

In a message to staff and students, Queen's University Belfast has announced a series of measures in its response to the coronavirus.

• It has postponed all large-scale events - those involving more than 1,000 people - with immediate effect.
• Advises against all non-essential travel for business or study outside of Northern Ireland.
• Discourages guests in the university's accommodation.
• Developing options for online teaching "to prepare for a potential future suspension of lectures".

The university says it acknowledges it is an "anxious time", but said "the health of our students, staff and wider community is the University's first priority".

Image source, PA Media

The Irish government has introduced a host of measures "to interrupt the transmission of Covid-19".

Here's a breakdown of them from Ireland's National Public Health Emergency Team.

·Individuals who have symptoms should self-isolate for a period of 14 days

·Individuals should reduce discretionary social contacts as much as possible

·Elderly and/or medically vulnerable people should reduce as much as possible contacts outside home.

·There should be no mass gatherings;

a) involving more than 100 people if located indoors

b) involving more than 500 people if located outdoors

·Closure of museums, galleries and tourism sites

·Closure to students of schools, creches, other childcare facilities and higher education institutions.

·Reduction of workplace contacts, and implementation of remote working practices and teleconferencing where possible and not to travel for meetings. Work time and break times should be staggered, where possible.

·Restriction of visiting at hospitals, long term care settings, mental health facilities, prisons, and spacing measures in homeless shelters.

The Public Health Agency has confirmed there are two new cases of coronavirus in Northern Ireland, bringing the total to 20.

A letter from the Republic’s Chief Medical Officer advising government to take bigger measures to stop coronavirus spread - which it has now done.

Down Royal Racecourse says its St Patrick's Day race meeting will be held "behind closed doors".

In a statement, the racecourse's chief executive Emma Meehan said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused; however the health and safety of racegoers is our priority.

"Only runners, riders and trainers will be in attendance, with turnstiles closed to racegoers.

"Ticketholders will automatically receive a full refund within 14 working days,” she added.

Image source, RTÉ

RTÉ have announced there will be no audiences at programmes from tomorrow, in an email sent to staff on Thursday.

In a statement they said: "All measures are being taken to protect staff, while keeping vital services on air at a time when the Irish public needs up to date news and information from the national broadcaster."

RTÉ also told staff that changes may be made to radio and television schedules, where necessary.