THERE IS extreme concern for the elderly and vulnerable in popular tourist towns ahead of the coming Easter Bank holiday.
Despite Ireland's effective lockdown mandating that nobody must go beyond 2km of their own home except to buy essential supplies such as food, some have not been heeding the advice and have been travelling to holiday homes or caravan parks as the weather becomes warmer.
County Clare Councillor Róisín Garvey yesterday took to social media where she stated that an 83-year-old woman had called her in tears as Dublin-registered vehicles began appearing in her estate in Lahinch, a popular coastal town in the west of the country.
Writing on Twitter, Green Party Councillor Garvey said:
"I'd an 83 year old crying on the phone to me from Lahinch yesterday about Dublin reg cars that were appearing in her estate.
"Think of this 83 year olds (sic) and stay away from your holiday homes."
I'd an 83 year old crying on the phone to me from lahinch yesterday about dublin reg cars that were appearing in her estate. Think of this 83 year olds and stay away from your holiday homes. Please rt #StayHomeSaveLives #COVID19 @drivetimerte @ClareFM
— Sen. Róisín Garvey (@RoisinGarvey) April 7, 2020
55% of all confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic have been identified in Dublin, raising fears that should people leave their homes and travel to holiday homes elsewhere in the country, the virus could spread at a much faster rate.
These fears apply not just to Dublin but to all areas across Ireland, and people have been reminded that 'the virus doesn't move, people move'.
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is among those who have urged people not to travel to holiday homes or caravan parks this weekend, and reminded them that the Government-mandated lockdown is still in place despite the Easter bank holiday.
Dr Varadkar said on Twitter:
"Please do not visit a holiday home or caravan park this Easter weekend.
Please do not visit a holiday home or caravan park this Easter weekend. The spread of the virus is slowing but people travelling could give it a boost - spreading it and seeding it in areas unaffected so far. Stay at home and #FlattenTheCurve
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) April 7, 2020
"The spread of the virus is slowing but people travelling could give it a boost - spreading it and seeding it in areas unaffected so far.
"Stay at home and #FlattenTheCurve".
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPEHT) also released an urgent appeal for people not to travel this coming weekend, acknowledging the "unprecedented sacrifices" communities ave already made and urging people to continue to "stay at home and keep Ireland safe".
In a statement, the NPEHT said:
“Today, the National Public Health Emergency Team expressed concern that a proportion of the population may seek to travel to holiday destinations, holiday homes and mobile homes across the country this weekend, despite travel restrictions in place since the 27th March.
“An Garda Síochána has been visibly present on the roads this past week assisting the public with compliance and to them NPHET is grateful.
“Given the mass community transmission of COVID19 across Europe, the European Centre for Disease Control is expected to advise of the importance of continuing public health restrictions.
“While current restrictions have reduced the number of people becoming infected by one confirmed case, this depends on people staying at home and following public health advice.
Lahinch, County Clare, which is a popular tourist destination for weekends away. Picture: Shannon Development“There has been unprecedented sacrifices made across society in recent weeks to protect all people on this island from COVID-19. We urge the public, on this Easter holiday with sunshine and isolation fatigue, to stay the course and comply with the recommendations and measures in place. Stay at home and keep Ireland safe.
“COVID-19 is in our households, not only our nursing homes. It is in our community. Do the right thing. Spread the message not the virus.”
Most people have been sticking rigidly to the guidelines and restrictions which have been implemented to flatten the curve and stem the spread of coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland, but to further police the situation, An Garda Síochána have been given enhanced powers which come into effect today.
The laws give Gardaí the powers to issue penalties to anyone failing to comply with the current lockdown measures, which includes travelling further than 2km from your home.
This include fines of up to €2,500 and, in the most serious cases, anywhere up to six months in prison.
