Council to line the streets with virus distancing guides

KERRY County Council has begun work on new street signs and guides to help the public and businesses adhere to social distancing rules as the lock-down is rolled back and more businesses reopen.

The initial phase of the project is underway and will see the installation of signage in towns and villages, highlighting social-distancing measures.

Similar works – including signs and new road and pavement markings – have already been carried out by Council staff at beach car parks and public amenities over the past number of weeks.

A variety of additional measures are being developed by the Council to ensure that street spaces can be shared safely by pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and cars; and to accommodate and promote street usage by commercial premises so that they can operate according to public health guidelines.

“We are very aware of the need for businesses to re-start, but at the same time it is critical that the streets in our towns and villages can accommodate business activity safely,” said Kerry County Council Chief Executive Moira Murrell.

“Significant work has already been carried out by Council staff in developing simple but effective ways of ensuring that social distancing can be maintained while ensuring that businesses can resume trading and provide their goods and services to customers. This will include standards for queuing requirements and other retail aspects to assist the social distancing restrictions that must be maintained into the future,” she said.

For several weeks Kerry County Council has been working closely with other agencies and key sectors in the local economy on the roll-out of supports and initiatives to assist businesses and support the economic recovery in the county.

“As businesses in Kerry begin to reopen in line with the Roadmap, it is critical that they can welcome and cater for their customers safely. As part of this effort, Kerry County Council is developing and implementing plans to ensure that our towns and villages are open for business and are recognised as safe environments for commercial businesses to operate, and for members of the public to visit,” said a council spokesperson.