Relax some restrictions in counties least hit by virus
A local TD wants the Government to use its powers to relax some restrictions in counties where there is a low rate of infection.
Yesterday Denis Naughten said it made no sense that parts of the country with low rates of Covid-19 infection should remain in lockdown to the same extent as areas where there is a significant problem.
He asked the Taoiseach to consider relaxing restrictions on returning to work in parts of the country which have seen consistently low numbers of Covid-19 infection.
He pointed out that this was specifically provided for in legislation under Section 10 of Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020.
Deputy Naughten was responding to the request from government on proposals for the easing of restrictions over time and he again reiterated his call of last week in Dáil Éireann that “as a first step, government should list specific businesses that can open under certain conditions”.
“In counties where there have been very low levels of Covid-19 infection, there should be a further measured relaxation of restrictions on movements but only where people returning to work, or those meeting others outside of their families, cover their mouths and noses from this point on. I am referring to face coverings, not medical face masks, which we all acknowledge are in short supply.
“In general, the areas with low incidence of Covid-19 are our more rural communities, areas which can be used as a ‘test bed’ for the future relaxation of measures in our cities.
“After such heroic efforts by every citizen in this State to stop the spread of this virus we cannot allow a second wave of infection under any circumstances. So we must remain cautious in how we relax restrictions, but we must also learn to live with Covid-19 which will be with us for a considerable time to come.”
On a per population basis, Westmeath has the fifth highest rate of infection in the country, while Roscommon has the tenth lowest.