CreateDontContaminate challenge launched in Ireland

Popular bands and broadcasters encourage young people to stay apart but be creative amidst the coronavirus pandemic

Popular Irish bands have joined forces with RTÉ and 2fm in an initiative to encourage younger people to limit their social interactions while getting creative amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Kodaline, The Script, Picture This and the Coronas are behind the #CreateDontContaminate campaign along with the public broadcaster and its pop radio station. Their goal is to teach young people how to keep their energy and spirits up while shielding their families and communities from contamination by staying apart.

Each day over the next two weeks, RTÉ's presenters and influencers will share a new challenge, that will get young people creating while keeping a social distance. The latter are urged to make content from anywhere in their home - with creative challenges in dance, music, comedy, art, story-telling, fashion or beauty.

Artists, musicians, sportspeople and community leaders will choose their favourites each day. The best, funniest and most ingenious pieces of content will get a good chance to go viral, boosted by RTE’s social media platforms.

Global Greening project went ahead

As massive St Patrick’s Day parades have been cancelled to contain the Covid-19 spread, many families, encouraged by RTÉ, held their own mini events yesterday in houses, back gardens and farmyards around the country.

To inspire positivity and hope in the 70 million people worldwide who claim links to Ireland, Tourism Ireland decided to go ahead with its annual Global Greening project. Hundreds of landmarks in over 50 countries were lit green including the London Eye, the Sydney Opera House and New York’s Madison Square Garden.

PM Leo Varadkar: “This is the calm before the storm”

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar warned yesterday that the coronavirus emergency is likely to be extended beyond 29 March and could go on for months into the summer.

"This is the calm before the storm and the surge will come…We cannot stop the virus but we can stop it in its tracks and push it back," said the PM in a special Ministerial Briefing broadcast, aired by RTÉ.  

His address came after 69 new cases were confirmed in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the current total to 292.