Volunteers at the Irish Coast Guard have been asked not to take part in the "Jerusalema" dance challenge, it has been reported.
Officials sent a letter to Coast Guard volunteers stating that unnecessary gatherings of personnel could weaken their Covid-19 "risk mitigation strategy", RTE News reports.
The viral craze was started by the Swiss police to lift the moods of the people during some of the most challenging weeks of the pandemic.
And an Irish radio producer based in Portugal – Frankie Shanley, also known as Frankie Beats – put the challenge to Gardai in mid-January.
He said: "Police officers in Switzerland decided to do something special for its people in these dark times. Just Amazing!
"@Gardainfo? Will you accept the challenge if enough people retweet this?"
And Gardai across the country smashed the challenge, keeping the positive vibes moving.
In the hugely popular video officers dance together in small groups keeping their social distance while wearing masks.
Posting on their social media channels, the Gardai urged the public to step up to the challenge and have their own go at the viral trend: "We have stepped up to the Swiss police.
"Gardai across Ireland answered the call to give the public we serve a lift in these challenging times.
"Now that An Garda Siochana have stepped up to the challenge, the public now have the floor.
"So make sure to stay at home and in your bubbles.
"Post your challenge using GardaJerusalema, we want to see what you can do while staying safe."
And they were followed by dozens of groups across Ireland, including the AnovoCare Nursing Home in Swords.
Video footage emerged last week of a dozen or so of the nursing home's residents as they hit the dancefloor – with passion – to take on the challenge.
The heartwarming footage shows the dancers grooving to the beat – and in impressive sync with each other.
