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Different measures will be taken in the event of a second surge in coronavirus cases, rather than the implementation of a full lockdown, Ireland\u2019s chief medical officer has said.<\/p>\nDifferent measures will be taken in the event of a second surge in coronavirus cases, rather than the implementation of a full lockdown, Ireland\u2019s chief medical officer has said.<\/p>\n
Dr Tony Holohan said the country knows a lot more about Covid-19 than it did in March when lockdown measures and restrictions were first introduced.<\/p>\n
He said if there was a second wave or resurgence of the disease, the same measures would not need to be taken.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t be anticipating at this point in time that we would be moving back to blanket closures in the way we did in March,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we will be doing over the next couple of weeks is meeting with NPHET (National Public Health Emergency Team) and looking at a scenario where we have a resurgence of the disease, what measures we will take or what would be appropriate,\u201d Dr Holohan told RT\u00c9 radio.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a resurgence of the disease happened or a second wave, we would know what specific measures to take, having done our work proactively.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe population\u2019s behavior is very different now than it was in March and people understand more about the disease and the risks and how they can protect themselves when it comes to hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.\u201d<\/p>\n
The message on wearing face coverings has not gotten through to the public, he said.<\/p>\n
He said the protective materials should used on public transport and in shops, official advice urged but they are not mandatory in any setting.<\/p>\n
Dr Holohan added that a new national campaign is being rolled out around the wearing of face coverings.<\/p>\n
It follows a recommendation from the NPHET on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The campaign will outline best practice for the use of face coverings in areas such as retail outlets, on public transport and in other public locations where it may be difficult to maintain social distancing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe message hasn\u2019t fully gotten through\u2026 We\u2019d like to see a higher level of compliance where social distancing can\u2019t be maintained,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Dr Holohan says the reason the virus has been suppressed to its current rate is because the public has been compliant in relation to the published guidance, but reiterated \u201cwe need to step up this measure\u201d in relation to face masks.<\/p>\n
Travelers in Dublin and Cork Airport will be asked to wear face masks from next Tuesday, while anyone not taking a flight will be advised to not enter the terminal buildings.<\/p>\n
Chief communications officer with the Dublin Airport Authority, Paul O\u2019Kane, said airports are getting prepared for a surge in travelers.<\/p>\n
He told Newstalk FM: \u201cWe\u2019re working now to get organized and get planned for when passenger numbers will ramp up, \u2019cause they will ramp up in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re strongly recommending that face masks or face coverings are worn by passengers in all buildings, we also have a strong recommendation for our staff to wear face masks \u2013 those\u2019ll be mandatory in some areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re asking passengers who are not travelling not to enter the terminal buildings, and that\u2019s to help us enforce social distancing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also have a really enhanced cleaning regime, we have social distancing signage right up throughout the terminals.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Thursday, NPHET announced a further eight deaths and eight cases of Covid-19.<\/p>\n
There have now been 1,703 fatalities.<\/p>\n