PEOPLE cannot let their “guard drop” over COVID-19.
That’s the message from the Public Health Agency after crowds of people flocked at the weekend to beauty spots and beaches with some not sticking to the social distancing regulations of two metres.
Dr Gerry Waldron, head of health protection at the agency, says complacency could “lead to further spread of the disease, and ultimately result in deaths”.
“COVID-19 can be a fatal disease, and sadly, in Northern Ireland over 500 people have lost their lives,” he said.
“We must not forget this.
“As we move forward, it is important to remember the general guidance that has existed since the virus emerged here.
“Maintain social distancing, keep surfaces clean, self-isolate when required, wash your hands regularly, and catch it, bin it, kill it,” he says.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Naomi Long has warned lockdown restrictions in the North of Ireland could be scaled back up if people continue to flout the rules.
Huge numbers of people have flocked to beauty spots during the recent spate of good weather – with many appearing to ignore social distancing rules.
There are fears there could be another wave of the virus.
Mrs Long said the relaxation of restrictions is based on how to public responds.
“If people continue to push the boundaries, continue to push the limits, then we will need to review the relaxations that have been put in place,” said the Justice Minister.
“It is clear that, as we relax things more, we will require people to self-police these things.
“We can’t police people’s back gardens, we can’t police their living rooms.
“But when it comes to 200 people and they’re drunk and disorderly. That is no longer a public health issue, that is a public order issue.”
Tags: