THE SDLP’s Mark H Durkan has urged individuals and businesses to adhere to strict precautionary measures in the fight against the spread of Covid-19.
Said the Foyle MLA: “Last weekend will have been a strange, difficult and scary time for many families in this city and beyond.
“I applaud all those who made a video-call to their Mum, all the grandkids who stood outside the window to wish their grandmothers a happy Mother’s day- all those who got over Sunday by making sacrifices and celebrating in a safe and sensible way.
“However, we also saw groups of young people congregating in the city centre, bunged beaches and people generally treating this as an extended holiday.
“People ignoring advice around social distancing and not practising general guidance around preventing the spread of Covid-19.
“The problem with individual responsibility is that it does not mean every individual will act sensibly.
“A lack of clarity surrounding guidance means that some businesses have failed to implement stringent protection measures.
“I would plead to supermarkets, to places of work including call centres within this city, to impose restrictions, enforce social distancing, and provide both hand sanitisers and gloves – and where possible for smaller stores to apply a one in, one out customer policy.
“These are unprecedented times.
“We are all facing a situation never witnessed before. Lives will be lost; this is the inescapable reality.
“Our health professionals are begging for vigilance. All those on the frontline of this pandemic are giving their all to this fight, placing themselves at risk in order to save others.
“The only thing they have asked in return is for people to stay at home and to take protective measures seriously.
“We all have a duty to protect one another and by staying at home when possible, you are saving lives.
“We cannot have a select few negating the efforts made by the majority. The current trajectory cannot continue.
“Some advice that has been circulating and the most digestible is to imagine you are already infected, to limit your movements and interactions accordingly.
“Extreme times call for extreme reactions; people need to understand we have one chance to get this right. Let’s get it right,” added Mr Durkan.
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