Ireland 's President Michael D. Higgins signed an emergency bill from the Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann into law , giving the state the power to detain people , restrict travel and keep people in their homes due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also announced the closure of all schools , colleges , childcare and other public facilities until at least 29 March .
2020 coronavirus pandemic in the Republic of Ireland