[ad_1]
PEOPLE WILL NOT BE ABLE to enjoy Christmas if there is a threat of another lockdown “looming over them,” according to former Housing and Fine Gael TD Eoghan Murphy.
Speaking at the Dáil today, Murphy called for a change in government policy when it comes to handling the Covid-19 crisis.
His comments come a day after the Taoiseach confirmed to his party that a Dáil debate will take place on Tuesday regarding how the government proceeds to lift the Level 5 restrictions.
The final government decision is scheduled for the end of next week, after the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) meets on Thursday.
Tensions are rising once again between NPHET members and senior government officials.
While it is not the first time, there is a growing sense in some government circles that NPHET’s words are confusing messages and shifting power to the public health team.
Throughout this pandemic, there have been underlying concerns regarding public health experts speaking out what to do on national radio waves, when policy and advice given to the public must ultimately come. of the government.
With only one week left of the lifting of Level 5 restrictions, the Taoiseach is pushing to ensure that Christmas can be meaningful to people, while balancing the public health aspect.
Pressure has also increased on Micheál Martin to establish that the country will not return to another lockdown after Christmas.
Addressing the problem today, Murphy said people “got desperate thinking about Level 5 for six weeks.”
“They are looking forward to it getting up … but they know they are not going to enjoy the Christmas period because the threat of another shutdown will hang over them throughout the month,” he said.
“As people get together with family and friends and enjoy the holiday season, all they will see is the likelihood of the lockdown increasing,” said Dublin Bay South TD.
Policy change
The Fine Gael TD called for a change in government policy, stating that “a policy change is not admitting that a policy is wrong, it is just admitting that things have changed and changed.”
“Our understanding of the virus has changed, our ability to fight the virus has changed, our understanding of the damage of a lockdown against the risks of the virus has changed and our expectations of a vaccine have changed,” he added.
Murphy said now is the time to change the plan, stating that the Taoiseach must “commit to a strategy of no more closures” and no more tiers as set out in the government’s Living with Covid-19 plan.
He called on the Taoiseach to announce a “no-block strategy” next week, and claimed that there are now other ways to keep people safe while living with the virus.
Murphy is not alone in his call, as several other TDs made such arguments this week at private party meetings held last night.
Yesterday, the Taoiseach said at his parliamentary party meeting that people will be able to have a pleasant, meaningful and safe Christmas.
He said personal behavior will be important during the holiday period, and a level of confidence will be placed in the safety of the public.
Reopening after level 5
Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said the government has a critical decision to make next week. He said that people should be allowed to return to work, perhaps one day a week.
No news is bad news
Support the magazine
your contributions help us continue to deliver the stories that are important to you
Support us now
Stores, gyms and churches should also reopen for people’s mental health, he said.
He said: “What we have to do now that we are back is to promote controlled environments, which includes reopening retail.
“I would also say that like a gallery, a gym, a golf course or a church, there are so many aspects of our daily life that are really important to our mental health and well-being that they are safe.”
[ad_2]