Possibility of drive-in vaccination centres

KILCOOLE-based company Retro Drive-in Movies have offered to adapt venues usually used for drive-in cinemas so they can accommodate a drive-through Covid vaccination centre.

The drive-in movie company screens movies at venues all over Ireland, such as the Galway Races, as well as locations in County Wicklow such as Glenroe Farm and Brittas Bay.

Managing director of Retro Drivein Movies Ryan O’Neill has been in contact with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly about providing suitable locations for drive-through vaccination centres, including potential venues in County Wicklow.

Mr O’Neill said: ‘We have closed our venues in light of the current restrictions but we could easily adapt to running these venues as drive-in vaccination locations. We have the venues, infrastructure, staff and expertise available right now to make a real difference. We have a triedand-tested winning formula to get vehicles into our venues and out of our venues in a quick but safe manner. We liaise with our venue owners and local Gardai to implement a safe traffic management system.

‘We have a network of different venues and we can identify other venues in Wicklow as well if we get the go ahead. Our proposal is currently being mulled over.’

Mr O’Neill believes the company is in a strong position to lend a helping hand in Ireland’s fight against the pandemic.

‘I know we can do it. We have the staff and the venues and I am confident that we can turn around and vaccinate large numbers. I have spoken informally to some GPs and health workers who we can work closely with to make this happen.