The Health Minister has warned that people visiting friends or family unnecessarily are at greater risk of spreading the coronavirus than people who are arriving in Ireland from abroad.
Simon Harris was speaking as the country's top health officials are meeting this morning to discuss Ireland's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number of deaths in the Republic linked to the virus now stands at 19, while there are over 1,800 confirmed cases.
Speaking to The Pat Kenny Show after the death toll doubled in just over 24 hours, Minister Harris said officials had been expecting a surge.
He said: “We know we’re going to see many cases in our country… we sadly know we’re going to see deaths in our country… but we also know the measures we’re taking together, tough and challenging though they are, can make a real difference.
“We now have sadly seen 19 deaths from COVID-19, and I hope [people] are very much getting the message that we would not have done the extraordinary things this week… were it not that serious. We have to take this extremely seriously in the coming days.”
With the weekend approaching, the Health Minister warned that people cannot congregate and socialise as normal.
Amid concerns over whether people arriving from Ireland from abroad are a risk to the public, Minister Harris said: “I am a little bit concerned that if we keep focusing on external issues here, we somewhat miss the point.
“If you decide to continue to leave your home unnecessarily, then you are risking spreading this virus.
“If you’re leaving your house today to make an unnecessary visit to a friend or family member, you’re at much greater risk of spreading that virus than anybody else arriving in our country.
“If you’re deciding to pop into a neighbour for a cup of coffee… human things that we all like to do… you’re spreading that virus.
“I need you to stay at home unless you absolutely need to leave your home.”
Travel
Minister Harris said community transmission now accounts for over 50% of cases, and the proportion of travel-related cases is set to go down and down.
He also noted that anyone returning to Ireland is being asked to self-isolate for 14 days, and that the number of people arriving in the country is “significantly reduced”.
He explained: “Fewer and fewer people are travelling globally… the world is cutting flight schedules on a daily basis… the advice from this country is please do not leave our country.
“We’re now at the stage of the virus where it’s down to us, and what we decide to do in the coming days and weeks. It’s down to personal and individual responsibility - what you’re deciding to do as a citizen.
“We’re going to do everything we can to beef up our health service, hire more nurses and doctors, and they’re doing Herculean work. We’re going to get our Personal Protective Equipment in, and we’re trying to secure as many ventilators as we can.
“That will all be in vain if we as people continue to do things that spread the virus.”
Asked about a shortage of protective gear - or PPE - for healthcare staff, Minister Harris noted there is a “massive shortage” worldwide with different countries “effectively competing” for the gear.
However, he said a flight will arrive in Ireland from China on Sunday with a “very significant amount of PPE” - with more planes then set to arrive over the following days.
He also praised Aer Lingus and Ryanair for ‘stepping up’, with pilots volunteering to fly over to China to pick up the equipment.
Elsewhere, Minister Harris noted that officials will be visiting workplaces and businesses still open - such as construction sites - to ensure social distancing guidance is being followed.
He also said it's his 'gut' feeling that the approach taken to ensure that dentists are safe during the crisis ‘needs to be tightened up', and he’s now asked health officials to look into that.
Main image: File photo of Health Minister Simon Harris. Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
