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TAOISEACH MICHEAL MARTIN has said that if more people work from home, it will have an impact on the rate of transmission of the virus.
“Time to go back to remote work. We know it works. It is possible and it would have a very significant impact on reducing transmission rates in our opinion, ”he said.
The cabinet agreed tonight that Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan will be subjected to Level 4 Covid-19 restrictions.
The government is now also advising people across the country not to have visitors in their home or garden, and that social or family gatherings should not take place in other settings.
Speaking to reporters tonight in government buildings, the Taoiseach said that in the early stages of the pandemic a considerable number of people worked from home.
“Clearly, over time, many, many more are coming back,” the Taoiseach said, asserting that the government will increase its communication with employers to convey this message unequivocally.
The government is well aware of the impact that rising levels will have on the economy, society and people’s mental health.
He said the government is advocating for these measures for one reason: to reduce the virus and allow the economy to remain open.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar reiterated the work-from-home message, stating:
“If you can work from home, then you should.”
You should only enter your workplace if you cannot do your work from home.
“It is clearly evident to absolutely everyone that there has been a slow movement to offices and that has to stop,” he said.
“Transmission is widespread in all counties. So people whose county hasn’t been moved to Level 4 shouldn’t think for a second that that’s a reason to relax, more counties are likely to move to Level 4, “he said.
“We have been tightening the restrictions, little by little, practically until the end of July, but it has not yet had the desired effects. So now we have to do more. Going from level 2 to 3 and from 4 to 5 are forceful instruments, “he said, adding that the level of the virus will only go down” if we all listen to and obey public health guidelines.
The Taoiseach said tonight that he has no regrets for rejecting the Level 5 recommendation, stating that the country was not ready for Level 5,
He said Ireland’s approach has been one of the strictest in Europe. Ireland’s Tier 3 is almost the equivalent of the UK’s stricter restrictions, he said.
There has been a call for greater coordination across Europe, particularly on travel and quarantine, he said.
He said that the issue of curfews, which have been imposed in other countries, is a matter to be considered by each member state, adding that it has not been discussed by the government.
There have been calls to cancel watches dating back this year to make winter easier for people.
While the Taoiseach acknowledged that it had discussed the issue with the leaders of the Social Democrats and the Labor Party, it believes that such a move would have “significant implications” and would have to be well thought out.
Varadkar said it is not something that has been discussed, but added that there are enough differences between the two jurisdictions without the counties south of the border also being in a different time zone than the north.
In terms of Halloween, the Taoiseach said it will have to be a “different Halloween” from other years, stating that people cannot knock on each other’s doors.
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“But there are many other ways to enjoy Halloween safely,” he said.
He also said that we will have to celebrate a “different Christmas”, stating that people will have to adapt their behaviors.
“Until we get a vaccine, normal life will not resume as we know it,” he said, adding that “these are not normal times, but we can still have a quality of life.”
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