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FIANNA Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the use of facial masks by the public should be part of plans to reopen Ireland from the coronavirus blockade.
We also express concern that the level of testing and contact tracing “is not where we should be” if the country is to reopen.
It occurs when the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) continues to work on guidelines for the use of facial coatings.
Medical director Tony Holohan says there are no plans to make them mandatory.
In England, the public is encouraged to wear face covers when in contact with people they would not normally know, including on public transport and while shopping.
Speaking on Newstalk Radio, Martin said, “I am in favor of the masks.”
She told presenter Pat Kenny, “I have a sister-in-law in Singapore.
“Singapore is not the answer to everything, but it has been screaming at me metaphorically on the phone, ‘Why aren’t they wearing masks?'”
Martin said they have a different system there, which includes being more transparent about where the disease groups arise.
He said: “There is considerable compliance not because of an authoritarian culture but because people feel that this is the best way to do it.”
Martin said countries like Singapore were better prepared for the pandemic because they experienced the Sars outbreak in the early 1990s.
He said there will be “huge costs” for the state regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing and contact tracing in the coming months.
Martin cautioned that testing and contact tracing “is not where we should be in terms of facilitating the reopening of the economy and society.”
He said the response time for results and efforts to find contacts “has to be shortened considerably.”
He added that: “social distancing, hygiene, the basics that we were told at the beginning do work.”
Yesterday the government formation talks between Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Greens resumed.
The discussions began last week after Green’s leader Eamon Ryan said he received a commitment from both sides that they would work to reduce Ireland’s greenhouse gases in the next ten years.
Martin said a “real commitment” demonstration should be made to the Green Party’s demand to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7 pc per year.
“I think action has to speak louder than words here, in terms of the new government if it’s formed. It really has to take steps that show not only the intention but the real commitment to do it and change the way we organize and how Live.
“I would like to point out that it cannot be a problem for the Green Party, we all have to be committed to this.”
Martin said there is “nervousness” among the negotiating teams, “both because of the health dimension and because of the economic dimension, which is very serious, but also the economic dimension, which is very serious.”
He added: “It will be very difficult in the coming months and will require a government with a majority to make decisions to deal with it.”
The talks are expected to continue until the end of May or the beginning of next month.
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