DONEGAL could be moved to Level 4 of the Covid-19 restrictions later this week with the possibility of a ‘short, sharp’ full lockdown in Ireland looking more likely.
With cases in Donegal remaining high in spite of the county being at Level 3 since the end of September, the Government is closely considering increasing the restrictions.
The Cabinet is set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the country’s situation. While there are signs that the move to Level 3 is seeing the desire effect in Dublin, the high volume of cases in Donegal remains a concern.
There were 33 cases recorded in Donegal on Friday and Donegal’s 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 cases remains the highest in the country.
There is now an increasingly likelihood that Ireland will go into another full lockdown inside the next two weeks.
Writing in today’s Sunday Independent, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said: “This would represent a short, hard lockdown to knock the virus on the head again, and reduce case numbers to a manageable level. Similar to a second lockdown – but not as long.
“It may well be needed at some point. No other country in Europe has tried this. It would be an experiment but it could work. In Israel is seems to be producing results.
“I know some say that a circuit break could save Christmas. I am not so sure. The problem is that when you’re in full lockdown it’s difficult to get out of it. As we’ve already learned, reopening is a lot harder than locking down.”
There are indications that, if current trends are followed, there will be 1,500 daily cases within 10 days.
Yesterday saw 1,012 new cases confirmed in Ireland and the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan said that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) was ‘very worried about the numbers and how quickly they are deteriorating’.
Varadkar outlined that the Government was aware of the implications of a full lockdown, for however short a timeframe.
“As we have already learned, reopening is a lot harder than locking down,” he wrote.
Varadkar said that supports would be in place for employees who lose their jobs and for businesses who have to close.
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