Clare’s Independent TD believes a zero-COVID policy here is unrealistic and should not be pursued.
Despite a number of opposition TDs advocating for a hard line approach to stamp out COVID-19, and further measures to stop cases being imported, Deputy Michael McNamara has backed the government’s line that such a strategy would not work.
It comes after the extension of the Level 5 restrictions, announced last evening by government, which has been the focus of today’s Dáil proceedings.
Yesterday mandatory quarantine was announced for anyone coming from South Africa & Brazil or people who arrive here without a negative PCR test.
But opposition politicians have called for mandatory quarantine for everyone arriving into the country – including Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.
Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy saying we need a plan for when we get cases to a very low number.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said new legislation allowing for mandatory quarantine will also give them the power to extend it to other countries.
Privately some Ministers have said the mandatory self-isolation at home won’t work and isn’t enforceable, with garda unions sharing the concerns about how workable they are.
Clare’s Fine Gael Senator, though, insisted today that the new enhanced measures are enforceable and workable.
Senator Martin Conway says he now expects Gardai may well be knocking on doors to enforce the new measures.
Clare’s Independent TD believes a zero-COVID policy here is unrealistic and should not be pursued.
Some opposition parties have called for a strategy similar to that in operation in New Zealand and Australia.
Scariff-based Deputy Michael McNamara doesn’t agree – and says the priority at this point is to keep new variants of the virus out of the country.
