NW hunkers down in bid to slow Covid-19

The Irish government yesterday placed the south on lockdown as it entered delay phase, closing schools, universities and childcare facilities from 6pm.

Event numbers were curtailed - with many now cancelled - and people were advised to work from home, where possible.

In stark contrast, in the UK, with regulations covering Northern Ireland and which has also entered delay phase, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced schools are to remain open and events will go ahead for now. The advice is that anyone with symptoms (fever/persistent cough) is to self isolate for seven days.

There have now been calls for a joint strategy on the island of Ireland, as both leaders described the pandemic as one of the worst health crises in living memory.

As the ‘Journal’ went to press yesterday, First Minister Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill confirmed the Northern Ireland Executive was not recommending the closure of schools at this stage.

On both sides of the border, there were reports of empty supermarket shelves as customers panicked and bought items amid fears of shortages.

However, Retail Excellence yesterday said Ireland is ‘prepared to continue to supply all grocery outlets for the coming months’ and customers have no need to worry.

In the south, the government has said teaching will be undertaken remotely, where possible and all indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor mass gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled.

Arrangements are being made to ensure that everyone entering Ireland through ports and airports is fully informed and self-isolates if they develop symptoms. In the workplace, break times and working times should be staggered and meetings done remotely or by phone. Social interactions should also be reduced as much as possible. Shops, bars and cafes can remain open and public transport will run.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “Together, we can slow the virus in its tracks and push it back. He added: “We have experienced hardship and struggle before. We have overcome many trials in the past with our determination and our spirit. We will prevail.”

Derry GP Doctor Paul Molloy, the Western Local Medical Committee Secretary said the system is ‘well prepared and the more we can do to avoid spread the better.’

Members of Derry City and Strabane District Council met yesterday at the Guildhall with senior officials for a briefing on the Council’s state of preparedness on COVID-19 to provide vital Council services in the coming days and weeks.

Members attending the meeting were informed of the proactive contingency measures being put in place to protect vital Council services. In view of this, members agreed that Council should close two of its public buildings with immediate effect, to allow vital services to continue in anticipation of other facilities being forced to close at a future date.