[ad_1]
TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has confirmed that it is “safe to proceed” with the first phase of reopening of the Irish society and economy from the coronavirus restrictions.
He said it is a reason for hope but not a reason for celebration and warned that there will be “potholes along the way” and that the public will have to “keep their guard up.”
Varadkar said that starting Monday, people will be allowed to gather outside in groups of four while maintaining social distance and go to garden centers and hardware stores.
And he said people should wear face covers on public transportation and in stores.
He warned that public health advice such as hand washing and social distancing should continue.
He said the government’s roadmap for reopening Ireland is “provisional” and “reversible”.
Varadkar said that as the blockage is alleviated, the chance of the virus spreading will increase.
He said: “Personal responsibility will be more important, not less.”
Varadkar said the coronavirus is a “hell that is raging all over the world.”
“In Ireland it is now a retreating fire, but it is not defeated. We must extinguish every spark …
“We must trust each other if we want to succeed and we will,” he said.
Varadkar said that people are still advised to stay home.
But leaving the house is allowed in five circumstances.
Are:
- Go to work if you can’t work from home;
- Go to stores to get the items you need;
- Exercise less than 5 km from the house;
- Traveling for medical reasons.
- Meet with family or friends within 5 km in groups of no more than four.
Other measures in phase one of the government’s roadmap for reopening are to allow work on construction sites again and to allow the reopening of golf courses and tennis courts.
Home goods stores will not be able to open next week under the government’s revised plans to reopen the country.
Home goods stores, such as Ikea, were expected to open in the first phase of the roadmap to reopen society and the economy.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced the change to his plans at a press conference today. Hardware stores may open to customers from Monday morning.
Yesterday Ikea announced that they were making plans to reopen next week, but now they will be forced to remain closed.
Home goods stores are among those that can be opened as of Monday on the government’s roadmap to ease restrictions.
Garden centers, hardware stores, and farmers markets described as “primarily outdoor” were listed for the opening.
Other listed outlets include household items, opticians, motor, bike and bicycle repair shops, office products retailers, and electrical, computer and telephone sales and repair businesses.
Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Michael McGrath warned this afternoon that there could be “confusion” about which companies may reopen next week.
He said on Twitter that he has sent several inquiries to the Business Department on behalf of local companies seeking to know when they can reopen.
McGrath said the answer in all cases has been that it is up to the company to decide whether to sit on the government’s gradual roadmap for its reopening.
He said, “This is a recipe for confusion next week.”
McGrath added that the vast majority of business owners want to do the right thing but have “the right to absolute clarity” about the opening.
“In his absence, we will inevitably see a loosening that goes beyond current health advice.”
The government also recommended the use of facial coatings on public transportation and in stores.
“As part of the gradual reduction of restrictions in Phase 1, members of the public are advised to use a face covering (ie, a non-medical face cover) as an additional hygiene measure, when using public transportation busy or when indoor public areas such as outlets are closed, “said a government spokesman.
After weeks of debate on the issue, the Taoiseach and other ministers have indicated that such advice would be presented.
They have emphasized that it should be a facial covering rather than the types of clinical masks that medical professionals wear.
Online publishers
[ad_2]