Taoiseach Says Government Will Act ‘Decisively’ On Dublin’s Rise Of Covid-19 And Ireland Must ‘Open Up’ For International Travel

TAOISEACH Micheal Martin has said that the Government “will act decisively” on the increase in Covid cases in Dublin.

The leader of Fianna Fail said Ireland must “open up” in terms of international travel, as the country’s plan to deal with the virus over the next few months is slated for next week.

4

4

4

When asked if the government is acting too slowly in introducing restrictions for Dublin, Martin told RTE’s The Week in Politics: “We will act decisively.

“We are also careful to want to develop a pattern over the next six months because we can’t jump from week to week in terms of responses either.”

When asked if this means that people can expect restrictions in Dublin, he said: “We can anticipate in terms of an endorsement of the CMO’s guidance in that regard.

“We will allow consultations with the CMO before Tuesday, but there will also be consultations with my colleagues in terms of any further decisions that need to be made.”

‘SERIOUS RESTRICTIONS’

He added: “We also have to learn from what we have done in the past.

“Certainly, the severe restrictions introduced in Kildare, Laois and Offaly worked.

“We can learn from what worked in these three counties.”

An update to Ireland’s policy on international travel is expected as part of the government’s Living with Covid plan, and Martin indicated that the country may opt for a Europe-wide alert system.

He said: “We are looking to fit into that European framework. I think that to facilitate communication it would be better.”

“There are challenges with that, but I think we better move in that direction.

“I think we have to open up in terms of economic connectivity, business connectivity, foreign direct investment.”

‘TESTING AND TRACKING’

When asked if this would mean a shift from quarantines to testing for inbound travelers, he replied: “The priority should be community testing and tracing.

“And the serial testing programs that we are doing right now in terms of nursing homes, meat plants, etc.

“I think in travel, although we could put conditions in terms of some countries on the red list entering Ireland.

“That they would have to be tested before reaching Ireland.”

As for the new term of the medium plan to live with Covid to be published on Tuesday, the Taoiseach said that its key message will be “personal behavior.”

He said: “Fundamentally, we will successfully treat Covid if we personally, as individuals, adhere to the fundamentals of public health advice in terms of social distancing, reducing our social contacts, sneezing etiquette.”

INCREASE IN INCIDENTS

Ireland’s 14-day Covid-19 incidence rate has soared to 42.3 per 100,000 people, up from 34.4 compared to the same period last week.

The incidence of coronavirus cases in Dublin per 100,000 residents is now 79.3, up from 78.3 the day before.

And Limerick’s incidence rate has dropped slightly from 69.3 to 64.1 based on cases reported in Ireland as of midnight on September 11.

2,016 cases were reported in Ireland from Aug. 29 to Sept. 11, 1,068 of them in Dublin, according to HPSC figures.

As of 8pm Saturday night, 54 confirmed Covid-19 patients and 89 patients awaiting test results were admitted to Irish hospitals.

Nine confirmed coronavirus patients are in intensive care, and all nine are on ventilators.

Eight people suspected of Covid-19 are also in the ICU, and one of them was ventilated, in HSE figures as of 6.30 pm on Saturday.

Acting Medical Director Dr. Ronan Glynn warned Dubliners last night that “this is the critical time to address the spread of the disease.”

As two more deaths and 159 new cases were confirmed, Dr. Glynn urged, “Individual decisions can make a difference: Rethink your plans for the weekend, reduce the number of people you meet, and avoid social activities that they involve large groups of people. “

4