THE Dáil has discussed how lockdown restrictions should be eased. Here are 10 suggestions made by DT.
The co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall, said the government needed to develop clear public health messages around the role of ventilation and the role it plays in reducing the virus. He said that due to the tendency for people to spend long hours at home in closed circumstances during Christmas, the Coalition must convey to the public the importance of air circulation.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald called for “common sense and compassion” when it comes to international Christmas travel, particularly for families who have suffered grief. He didn’t offer many additional details on how this would work. The party’s colleague, David Cullinane, suggested that testing at airports should be intensified.
Relieve curbs but avoid prolonged future closings
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the restrictions should be eased next week “but not so much that it forces us to return to Level 4 or 5 for an extended period in the new year.” He also warned that “a third short period of tightened restrictions may well be necessary in January or February, but we should try to avoid a prolonged period.”
End national lockdowns
Former Fine Gael Minister Eoghan Murphy said national closures should be removed from the government’s Living with Covid plan. He said the virus is not as deadly as before and questioned whether the shutdown does more harm than good to health and the economy. He said there should be a focus on personal responsibility combined with “rings of steel” around the vulnerable.
Early school holidays
Fianna Fáil TD John Lahart made a new case for school holidays to start early on December 18. He said school communities are “on the verge of exhaustion” and that early holidays would allow families to isolate themselves for a week before visiting grandparents.
Allow crossing of county borders below level 3
Level 3 restrictions should be changed to allow travel of up to 20 km between county lines, according to Emer Higgins of Fine Gael. He said it would mean that people living on the county’s borders could visit relatives across the border and make the initial reduction in restrictions “the payoff it should be.”
Open pubs to reduce household clusters
Former Fianna Fáil Minister Dara Calleary said people could be deterred from holding gatherings in private homes by reopening pubs and not distinguishing between wet and dry ones. He said having proper controls could help reduce the spread of the virus and ultimately the total number of family gatherings.
Let farmers enter the markets
Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae reiterated his call for the reopening of markets across the country on a limited basis. He said there was currently a situation where farmers were out of markets on “car hoods trying to stare at computers” bidding for livestock online. He said this was a less controlled environment than they were allowed to enter markets.
Save the students
James O’Connor of Fianna Fáil spoke about the victims of the pandemic in young people and, in particular, in students, and said that the stress and tension have been “absolutely enormous.” He called for plans to allow students to return to physical college classes and tutorials in the coming months. “A lot is being taken away from them,” he said. “They are very angry and hurt.”
Call the military to trace contacts
Labor TD Ged Nash said the contact tracing system should be “beefed up” so that it can cope with any spikes in cases that arise due to easing of restrictions over Christmas. He noted that the system was overwhelmed in October and staff must be hired. He said that the Defense Forces should be called upon if necessary.
