“Future lockdowns are not inevitable”: Coveney urges public to follow health advice

Is another lockdown on the way?

Minister Simon Coveney has urged the public to follow public health advice as Covid cases continue to rise. There's no doubt the public is concerned about a potential lockdown after multiple European countries re-introduced them. With hospitals reaching capacity and cases continuing to rise, is it only a matter of time before a lockdown is announced? Simon Coveney said the public needs to work together to ensure we avoid a lockdown. “Future lockdowns are not inevitable, but they require a national effort," Coveney said. "Our view in government is very similar to the Chief Medical Officer's view, he explained. People should limit their social contacts, make sure that rooms are ventilated, wear masks when you are in crowds indoors and outdoors. He stressed that people should work from home when you can. "These are messages that people have heard many times before, and they understand because it works," he added. "So it is possible to avoid the introduction of more restrictions, but we will have to watch the numbers very closely. "The hospital system is under enormous pressure now," he warned. Dr. Tony Holohan echoed Coveney's words. "We have a growing level of infection that need not happen. It is not inevitable that they will pick up this infection," he shared. Dr. Holohan told RTÉ, "If we cut down the people who are most likely to spread this infection from circulating in the population - we can have an impact in terms of transmission," the CMO said.