Gardaí say they are going to be patrolling supermarkets following scenes of panic buying  due to the coronavirus.

The force has also announced a number of measures to maximise its "operational availability and support".

This will see a contingency roster in effect from Monday March 16th, while annual leave for personnel will be restricted to no more than 5% of a division at any given time

Some 325 Garda students are also set to become full Garda members earlier than planned next week.

They will be stationed nationally in the coming weeks  - with approximately 200 from one class, and 125 from the next class at Templemore.

And Garda members working as tutors or instructors in the Garda College will be deployed to operational duties or essential training services.

Gardai say they’re going to be patrolling supermarkets after scenes of panic buying because of #covid19 #coronavirus

Commissioner Drew Harris doesn’t think it’ll turn to looting pic.twitter.com/CRW5CA6mWY

— Stephen Murphy (@Stephen_Murphy5) March 13, 2020

Training in the Garda College is also being deferred until further notice - except for specialist training activity such as firearms, driver and armed support.

The force has also hired 210 additional vehicles to "enhance community support".

Members of An Garda Síochána who were scheduled to take a severance package on April 1st have been asked to defer their retirement for three months.

While, subject to Government approval, members of all ranks who have reached the compulsory retirement age can apply to stay on for a further 12 months.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has designated the ongoing situation as an "exceptional event” - with non-essential foreign travel being cancelled.

The force will also only carry out "essential meetings" in accordance with Government guidelines.