‘There’s no bank holiday from Covid-19’ – Kilkenny gardai and HSE issue joint warning

There’s no bank holiday from Covid-19 – that’s the  joint message from gardai, the HSE and local authorities in Waterford.

“As Ireland continues to combat the Covid 19 virus, the three principal response agencies that make up the South East Regional Steering Group (An Gárda Siochána, the HSE and the five local authorities)  have thanked people for their work on stopping the spread of Covid-19,” a statement issued this morning said.

In an effort to deter people from travelling more than five kilometres, local authorities have restricted access to some attractions and the respective Chief Executives of  five local authorities – Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Tipperary and Wexford – have urged people not to allow everyone’s hard work to be undermined and to #Stay Safe and #HoldFirm.

“We know it’s hard, especially in terms of being apart from families and friends but it is helping to protect and keep our communities – especially vulnerable people and healthcare workers – safe. I want to particularly appeal to young people – we in the healthcare community need you to keep that effort going for another while,” the statement added.

Gárda Chief Superintendents for the region – Dominic Hayes (Carlow-Kilkenny), Derek Smart (Tipperary), Pádraig Dunne (Waterford) and Dennis Ferry (Wexford) – also warned that there will be a very visible Gárda presence across the South East this weekend, making sure that no one is travelling more than five kilometres from home without a valid reason.

“Our members will operate an extensive network of checkpoints this weekend, to ensure public compliance with the travel restrictions in place as part of Covid-19 public health guidelines,” they said.

“However, it is vital that this continues over the coming days and weeks. It will save lives. In particular, we would ask people who are thinking of travelling to parks, tourist locations or holiday homes outside of the five kilometre limit this weekend not to do so. If you are stopped at a checkpoint, you will be turned back.”

The Community Response Helplines continue to be available to people over the weekend.

These helplines involve many community organisations and volunteers and can assist people who need additional support to adhere to the cocooning guidelines:

Co. Carlow (1800) 814 300

Co. Kilkenny (1800) 500 000

Co. Tipperary (0761) 065 000

Waterford City and County (1800) 250 185

Co. Wexford (053) 919 6000