Government under fire for the way the new Covid restrictions were implemented

The government has come under fire for the way the new Covid restrictions have been implemented.

The Taoiseach announced that home visiting was banned across the country on Wednesday night, elevating Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal to Level 4.

At Level 4, only essential retailers will be able to open, however the government has expanded the list of what it had previously labeled “essential”, adding food markets, pharmacies, banks, post offices and hardware stores.

Industry body Ibec said it is disappointing that companies are being subjected to tighter restrictions on short notice.

CEO Danny McCoy said: “While the business community understands that the need for tiered restrictions may be justified, having just 24 hours to prepare for such restrictions can have devastating consequences on the costs of perishable inventory management and inventory planning. the workforce.

“It is very clear that we must protect livelihoods and lives.

“Companies and their employees are being left to bear the impacts of the additional restrictions and their input must be sought in a structured manner before making such decisions.”

At Leinster House, opposition politicians have also criticized the government for the way the new restrictions were implemented.

Sinn Féin TD of Donegal Padraig MacLochlainn said the news had not gone well in his constituency.

“Understandably, there has been a very angry reaction from retail companies,” he said.

“People have been crying. The point that Donegal people are making is up north, it’s very strict, but the retail stores are open.

“There is a general acceptance that it is necessary to stop home visits, with the exception of people living alone.

“With retail business, it’s down a lot.

It is heartbreaking to talk to business owners, I have no say in the decision and the government has not contacted us.

“I found out on Twitter. The border TDs have not been informed by the government. There is acceptance of the need to move through the gears, and there are real issues around the border, we need the same public health response in Derry and Donegal. , and we should have.

“Meath has almost identical incidence in Donegal, why wasn’t Meath included?

“Looks like they decided on Tier 4 for Ulster, but it’s down a lot in Donegal, we feel like they’re choosing us.”

Labor leader Alan Kelly said the government must stop tampering with the Living with Covid plan or they will lose the goodwill of the public and risk losing any semblance of a normal Christmas.

“The government needs to change course, there is absolute confusion out there,” he said.

“We have everyone on level 3 and Dublin on a hybrid level.

“We are saying very clearly that the government must stick to the plan, the plan has five stages, hybrids are not good.

“Move between levels if necessary, the government plan has been sent to every home in the country and unless they change their tact, this brochure will be used to light the fire instead of being studied, it is not acceptable.