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Journalists at RTÉ are asked to work from home amid coronavirus concerns


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Ellie Donnelly Twitter Email

RTÉ has asked a number of its employees to work from home amid concerns about coronavirus.

A spokesperson for the State broadcaster yesterday stressed none of its staff is currently self-isolating.

"Like every other organisation and business, RTÉ is preparing continuity plans in the event of a wide-scale outbreak of Covid-19 in the community," the spokesperson said.

"The ability of RTÉ to provide a news service is core to our public service remit, therefore RTÉ has asked a number of journalists who are normally based in the Donnybrook newsroom to work from alternative locations at the current time as a contingency measure," it added.

Employers around the country are taking various measures to reduce disruption from the virus.

However, the coronavirus does not represent bad news for all businesses here.

An Irish remote working app has reported a 163pc weekly increase in enquiries from firms planning for business continuity in the event of disruption from the virus.

Magnet Networks' 'Magnet Talk' app allows employees to access their desk phones from a remote location such as a mobile or laptop, and to make calls from the same office number.

Louise McKeown, marketing director of Magnet Networks, said: "This technology can allow companies to operate a dispersed workforce with no disruption and the same overview of all activities."

It comes as around 1,000 Dublin-based staff at recruitment firm Indeed were last week told to stay away from their office indefinitely. The company said it did not have any confirmed cases of employees with the virus, but that precautions were necessary.

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Another major employer, Facebook, which has almost 4,000 workers here, has cancelled all "social" visits to its Dublin office, but remains open for business otherwise.

Meanwhile, last Friday retailer Penneys shut its Dublin head offices in a bid to test how well it can cope if all staff work from home.

Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland

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