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Public health expert Dr Gabriel Scally has said the Irish and UK governments should ask families to postpone family reunions this Christmas until the summer solstice in June.
As an incentive for people to stay away from families during the upcoming vacation period, he said two additional holidays should be offered in June 2021.
By then, he said, the launch of the vaccine will have helped tremendously.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Dr. Scally warned that he cannot catch up with a virus when the number of cases increases.
He said it was not good to implement restrictions when the numbers have increased and said sensible restrictions should be in effect at all times.
He said that Ireland had been in such a good position compared to Europe in terms of reducing the number of cases and deaths. He said that was why the restrictions should not be relaxed during the Christmas period.
Starting Friday, three households will be allowed to mix and people will be able to travel across the country for a three-week period through January 6.
The easing of the restrictions is designed to allow people to enjoy what the government has described as a “meaningful Christmas.” But people have been warned to maintain social distancing and follow all public health measures.
Restaurants and pubs serving food were able to reopen for alfresco dining on December 4. But Dr. Scally said it was his opinion that the hospitality sector was a big problem keeping Covid levels low and that it shouldn’t have happened.
Regarding the mixing of households during Christmas, Dr. Scally told RTÉ News that multigenerational gatherings were dangerous and that people should avoid them.
He said a relaxation of the restrictions would mean an increase in cases. And he said that older people had already done very well to protect themselves and that by mingling over Christmas there could be a heavy price to pay.
He warned there would be a “bumpy ride” in the coming months.
Dr Scally, Chairman of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Royal Society of Medicine in London, also said he is genuinely concerned about what will happen in the coming weeks and is concerned that there has been little discussion about travel.
Travel spreads the virus, he said, and ports and airports are really important. And he said that people should not travel to Ireland unless they were prepared for quarantine.
Face masks installed at family gatherings
The World Health Organization in Europe has urged families to wear masks during Christmas gatherings this year, as it warned of concerns for early 2021.
“There is a high risk of a further resurgence in the first weeks and months of 2021, and we will have to work together if we are to be successful in preventing it,” the organization said in a statement.
He said that while it can be uncomfortable to wear masks with family members, “doing so contributes significantly to ensuring that everyone remains safe and healthy.”
The UN health organization said that while some “fragile progress” had been made, “Covid-19 transmission throughout the European region remains widespread and intense.”
He urged the public “not to underestimate the importance of your decisions” and to take extra precautions as many prepare to gather for the holidays.
If possible, the WHO said the celebrations should be held outdoors and that “participants should wear masks and maintain physical distance.”
For indoor festivities, the WHO said limiting the number of guests and ensuring good ventilation was key to reducing the risk of infection.
In Europe, Germany has begun to impose its strictest public health measures since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Schools and non-essential businesses have been closed in an attempt to stem a sharp increase in the number of infections.
In the latest 24-hour period, Germany recorded a record of more than 950 virus-related deaths.
Schools and non-essential shops are also closed in the Netherlands.
In Britain, stricter measures have taken effect in London and other areas.
Pubs, restaurants and cafes can now only open to go and deliveries and theaters have closed.
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