Leinster House hit by 2 cases inside a month
LEINSTER House has been rocked by two Covid shocks in just a month.
Ten of the essential Ushers team are off duty at the moment because of a confirmed case among them this week.
And the Irish Mirror understands that there were another seven staff ordered to self-isolate after another positive case in the Service Officers squad last month.
A number of TDS and Senators have also either had Covid or had to self-isolate because a family member had contracted the virus in the past few months.
The Houses of the Oireachtas told the Mirror that they do not comment on individual cases.
But the Ceann Comhairle, Sean O Fearghail, sent a new health and safety letter to all staff yesterday.
OFFICERS
News of the second positive Covid case in Leinster House last month was kept quiet and went under the radar until a source revealed it to the Mirror last night.
The long-serving Oireachtas staff member said that one of the Service Officers got sick with Covid a few weeks ago.
Six other Service Officer close contacts identified also had to stay away from work for two weeks.
Service Officers have a similar role to the Ushers, providing specialised security and reception services for the Houses of the Oireachtas.
It’s understood that one Usher tested positive on Monday and that nine others who were deemed close contacts have been stood down and must self-isolate.
A spokesman for Ceann Comhairle O Feargail said in their advice to all politicians, staff and members of the press yesterday: “In light of the ongoing developments with Covid-19, the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Sean O Fearghaíl, and the Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly have decided that the closing time for all buildings and car parks in the Houses of the Oireachtas complex will continue to be 19.00 hours each day.”