On 11th March 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, when America imposed its ban on travel for mainland Europeans, it signaled a change in tone for global diplomatic relations. Leo Varadkar, in Washington for officious St Patrick's day tomfoolery, was briefed when the measures were announced.

Given Ireland's solidarity with Europe during many previous crises and their current struggle to contain the coronavirus throughout their countries, it is crucial at this point that we stand with our EU neighbours and remain confident that together, with evasive and rapid action, we can overcome this public health emergency.

Now is not the time to form a coalition against this union which has brought many benefits to its members; certainly not just because English-speaking bullies intend to unite against them.

We need to fight this virus as well as the plague of imperialist nonsense on all fronts concurrently. Please sign this petition to support implementation of a prompt travel ban or mandatory quarantine period from ALL regions of the world badly affected by Covid-19.

In bringing about these measures without bias, based on viral spread figures, in the interest of public health, we can protect Ireland from the bullying tactics of English-speaking countries who would seek to use our sovereignty as an economic and racist bargaining chip.

This petition also implores the Irish Health Service, Dept of Health and caretaker Government to honestly convey to the people it represents the realities of the pandemic currently gripping this country. The most current and completely specific figures AND locations of cases need to be truthfully and accurately relayed to the public as a matter of urgency. The ties of bureaucracy need to be cast aside; meetings weeks apart about meeting that are due to be held weeks from now are not acceptable - as I'm sure you are aware, every minute counts.

Furthermore, a suspension of non-essential businesses has been delayed for a maddeningly long time and provisions for the impact of this need to be in place NOW if we are to combat the spread of Covid-19 and save as many lives as possible during this unprecedented disaster.