Coronavirus: Dublin centre shuts down as St Patrick’s Day revellers encouraged to stay at home

It comes after videos of people singing in crowded bars sparked anger

All pubs and clubs in an Irish tourist hotspot are to close with immediate effect amid coronavirus fears.

No bars will be open in Temple Bar in Dublin for St Patrick's Day, publicans have announced.

It comes after videos of people singing in crowded venues in the nightlife district on Saturday sparked anger on social media

The Irish health minister Simon Harris tweeted it was an "insult" to the efforts of healthcare workers.

Martin Harte, of the Temple Bar Company, said the decision to shut down the area was taken voluntarily, adding that social distancing and limiting of numbers is impossible to enforce in bars.

Video and images of packed bars with sing-alongs and crowded streets in Temple Bar went viral on social media on Saturday under the #CloseThePubs hashtag.

One stag party was shown walking down the street in medical overalls and face masks.

The Irish government could seek enforcement powers to ensure that the ban on indoor gatherings of 100 people or more applies to clubs and pubs.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has urged people who socialised at the weekend in pubs and clubs in Ireland to avoid the elderly and people with chronic diseases to stop the spread of coronavirus.

It comes ahead of St Patrick’s Day on Tuesday - one of the busiest days in the Irish tourism calendar.

On Sunday, Paul Reid, Health Service Executive chief executive, tweeted: "Unfortunately this is no longer a weekend of National celebration but one of a National Health Crisis.

“The public have been great to date. Some bars and people have been reckless though. To that minority, cop on, get your act together and comply with the advice.”

Ireland closed schools and universities on Thursday and advised people to cancel all indoor gatherings of 100 people or more.

So far, the country has had 129 confirmed cases of coronavirus and two deaths.

Dozens more bars across Ireland have voluntarily opted to temporarily close as the Department of Health advised people should try to keep two metres between themselves and others.

The Vintners' Federation of Ireland will meet government officials on Sunday to discuss the new guidelines on social distancing, amid growing calls for pubs to shut.

Padraig Cribben, chief executive of the federation, said: "Publicans have tried their best to implement social distancing guidelines, but for many it's proved an impossible task.

He said: "While we fully support the government's health guidelines, our members do require urgent clarity about how to manage the current situation.”

Earlier this week, the Irish government cancelled its St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin, which can see half a million descend on the Irish capital, following concerns over the spread of coronavirus.

Additional reporting by agencies