COVID-19: Ireland Moves To Lift Restrictions

 

The Irish Government, on Monday, took steps to allow workers return to their places of work as shops opened to mark the resumption of business activities in the country.

Ireland's Minister of Health, Simon Harris, said “I’m both pleased and nervous.

“I’m pleased that we’ve gotten to this point because of the incredible efforts of the Irish people in suppressing this virus.

“I’m nervous because the virus hasn’t gone away, there still isn’t a vaccine, there are still people in our country getting very sick, and people dying every day.”

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Some stores have resumed business activities, with the farmers' markets, football pitches, golf courses, opening with the directive to observe social distancing.

Simon said that Ireland is trying “to live successfully and safely alongside the virus”.

Adding that, “Just because somewhere is open doesn’t mean we need to go."

Ireland has a total of 1,543 fatalities from the deadly disease, with the country recording a low death rate of 10 on Sunday from 77 recorded on April 20.

Speaking on the five-step plan of the country in the government's bid to reopen the economy, Ireland's Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, said, “This gives us reason to hope, but it is not a cause for celebration. We have a long way to go yet.

“Coronavirus is an inferno that is raging around the world.

“In Ireland, it is now a fire in retreat but it’s not defeated — we must extinguish every spark.”