‘Narrow window’ to cut Covid rate

There is ‘a narrow window’ to address the recent rise in Covid-19 cases, according to Sinn Fein TD John Brady.

However, the Wicklow deputy also warned local businesses face a ‘ big knock’ with the move to Level 3 restrictions.

‘It’s critical that we slow the increase in the rate of Covid-19 infections.

‘We know the move to Level 3 will have a huge impact on businesses around Wicklow, many of which are on their knees and unfortunately, it’s going to be a big knock’.

Deputy Brady also appealed for people to work together to reduce the spread of the virus.

‘We have small window to suppress the figures. This also gives us an opportunity to get on top of testing and tracing, which is not at the level it should be at’.

Deputy Brady called on the community to follow public health guidelines. Speaking to this paper, the Wicklow TD criticised the Government’s handling of advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to move to Level 5.

‘I think when the news broke on Sunday of NPHET’s recommendation to move to Level 5, it took people by surprise and caused a lot of fear.’

Deputy Brady said, ‘ the recommendation to move straight to Level 5 set off alarm bells. There is supposed to be a stepby-step plan to move through the five levels, but the advice was to skip a number of levels. I understand where NPHET were coming from, they had concerns about hospital capacity and available beds.

‘However, the move to Level 5 would also have been concerning due to the cuts in the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the wage subsidy schemes. We could have seen hundreds of thousands out of work overnight and facing reduced payments.’

Deputy Brady called for investment to create extra capacity in hospitals and to additional supports for people out of work.

‘Jumping to Level 5 without addressing these issues would have had a detrimental impact,’ he added.