Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has warned our “mission is not accomplished” as Ireland enjoyed the first day of ‘Phase 2’ freedom on Monday.
He also urged retailers to promote face mask wearing among customers after seeing few people following the advice when he went to his own local supermarket.
“Mission has not been accomplished. It’s too early to begin taking stock,” the CMO said.
“I was shopping myself on Saturday afternoon and I wore a mask in my local Dunnes Stores shop and yes I did notice the majority of people were not wearing masks.
“Maybe the shops and retail environments might take steps to remind the public of the importance of the advice.”
The National Public Health Emergency Team today revealed:
- Four more people have died bringing the number of lives lost to 1,683
- The number of confirmed cases increased by just nine to 25,207, the lowest daily hike since March 11
- There were 16 outbreaks in private family homes last week
- Four more clusters occurred in workplaces where there are now 47 outbreaks including 22 in meat plants
- There were 122 people with Covid-19 in hospital yesterday, with 35 in intensive care
Dr Holohan also revealed the GAA had worked behind the scenes with NPHET on a safe return to play.
“I think they have done a terrific job,” he said. “I think it is a terrific organisation, the way they have approached all of this, they have worked with us behind the scenes and I couldn’t speak highly enough about them.
“The GAA has been steadfast in its support of everything we’ve done. Whether that’s been in terms of implementation of the guidance and advice around games and what they plan to bring forward for children, or whether it’s the community call initiative in which they’ve been involved in supporting local communities, they’ve been terrific.”
Dr Holohan dashed hopes of an early return for hairdressers and said he had no plans to look at the extensive guidelines published by the industry yesterday in its bid to open in the next phase.
He confirmed advise on how hospitality businesses might get around the two-metre social distancing restrictions is still being prepared by NPHET.
Dr Holohan defended the pandemic strategy here amid an open letter from 1,000 scientists calling for stricter lockdown to “crush the curve” of the virus.
He added: “If we can get this down to zero cases a day we will be very happy, but we have to strike a balance.
“We think now is the right time in terms of easing restrictions. We think we are following the right strategy."
