Garda calls on people in Kildare, Leir, and Offery to avoid unnecessary trips

Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced measures after the surge in the Covid-19 case, explaining that Covid-19 is a “serious and urgent threat.”

When the new measures came into effect at midnight, Garda resumed Operation Fanaha in Kildare, Lehr and Offaly, focusing on supporting public compliance.

Officers will be conspicuously installed, checkpoints will be set up and will be stationed outside the associated highways and associated ramps.

Vice Chairman John Toumey urged people in the three counties to stay home and avoid unnecessary trips.

“This operation is designed to support local restrictions in these three counties to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” he said.

“It is important to continue working to minimize risks to ourselves, our families and our communities.

“We call on all people in these counties to stay home and return home without unnecessary trips to reduce the prevalence of Covid-19.”

The new rules in the County Kildare, Laois, and Offery include restricting movement, except for the purpose of work and other basic journeys. Apart from takeaway services, deliveries and limited outdoor dining, restaurants and pubs that offer closed food. Also closed are indoor entertainment and sports facilities such as cinemas, theaters, museums, galleries and bingo halls.

Visits to prisons, acute care hospitals and nursing homes will be suspended except for compassionate reasons.

People were asked not to travel to those counties except for work.

However, face masks can be worn to keep retail stores open and open daycare or schools can be kept open.

Outdoor amenities, including a playground, also remain open at a social distance.

Martin added that: “Households in these counties are required to limit the number of visitors to their homes from three to six.

“The field meeting should be limited to 15 for organized activities.

“We are aware that in order to overcome this pandemic, our response needs to be more subtle and sustainable.”

He explained that Ireland is “still on track with international standards,” but localized clusters are “a serious concern.”

Dr. Ronan Grin, Irish Chief Medical Officer, said 289 cases of coronavirus were recorded in the past 14 days in the counties of Kildare, Lois, and Offery as of Friday night.

“Today’s decisions are very disappointing and cause serious confusion in many of these county people who have already made very important personal sacrifices in support of public health measures throughout this period. I fully understand,” he said.

“But I believe that today’s measures help control the disease, and I expect it to only need to be implemented for the next two weeks, as currently recommended.”

Mary-Lou McDonald, president of Sinn Fein, responded to the move by asserting that the community “compensated for the lack of testing and inspection at meat factories and direct serving centers.”

“This needs to be addressed urgently. The community must be protected.”

Meanwhile, Labor Party Senator Mark Wall urges civilians in Laos, Offali, and Kildare to pay attention to the new measures.

“I know that it is difficult to follow these measures, but I must follow them to control the spread of the virus. Please follow all the procedures announced in the next two weeks. I will.”

“To save lives that would otherwise be lost, and to protect our parents, grandparents, relatives, friends, and vulnerable people. Covid-19 is controlled because it does not recognize boundaries. It is important not to allow unsubmitted transmissions to take place in the community.”

The food processing plant in Co-Kildea shut down the Timo Ho plant on Wednesday at 9 pm after 80 workers tested positive for coronavirus.

On Friday, the company announced that six more cases of coronavirus had been detected, adding to the statement that “the level of asymptomatic infectivity seems very high.”

GAA has suspended all activities in Kildare, Laowa, and Offaly, including all group training, matches, face-to-face meetings, and camps.