“We do know how frustrating it is and we know people’s patience and resolve is waning.”
The Government said it is aware that some people are “getting very fed up” of social distancing measures that it has asked the public to comply with to combat the spread of Covid-19 in Ireland.
Speaking at a briefing on Monday morning, Liz Canavan from Department of An Taoiseach addressed anecdotal and social media evidence of complacency with regard to the measures, with the recent spell of good weather not helping matters.
The Government is expected to ease some of the current restrictions next Tuesday (5 May), the date to which the measures were extended earlier this month.
Ahead of that happening, it has urged the public to “keep going” in its efforts to combat the spread of a virus that, as of Sunday evening (26 April), has been responsible for the deaths of 1,087 people in Ireland.
“We’re aware of reports on social media that some people are getting very fed up of the social distancing measures,” Canavan said.
“They’re feeling confined, they’re stuck in the house or local area and they’re having to queue up to get into shops.
“We do know how frustrating it is and we know people’s patience and resolve is waning. We know that every day, we are putting out that call for solidarity and community spirit, as well as personal and collective behavioural change, inventiveness and resilience from all of you.
“This is what is required of each and every one of us at each step to delay the transmission of Covid-19. We know that call has not fallen on deaf ears so far, we have complied with restrictions and have succeeded in reducing the spread of the infection.
“For now, we just need to keep going as best we can.”
On Monday, a survey of over 35,000 people revealed that the 2km limit on movement is the restriction Irish people would most like to see eased, followed by restrictions on small gatherings.
An Garda Síochána is expected to announce an extension of Operation Fanacht this week to prevent non-essential travel and gatherings at tourist hotspots over the forthcoming May Bank Holiday weekend.
