A Clare GP is warning that we’re heading into a fourth wave of COVID-19 if scenes witnessed in Lahinch over the weekend are replicated across the county.
Shannon-based Dr Yvonne Williams has described large gatherings in the tourist hotspot as “shocking”.
It comes as the Tanaiste has warned that local lockdowns are a possibility heading into the summer.
It was the hottest weekend of the year so far and as the sun came out, so too did the crowds – particularly in cities and coastal areas.
But this has prompted concern from health officials and the Government, who have appealed to people to follow public health advice as restrictions ease further.
Hotels are due to open this week, while outdoor dining is resuming next week and Junior Minister Joe O’Brien says the measures remain on track, but will be kept under review.
He says lessons have to be learned following what happened this weekend.
A number of areas in the capital and other cities had to be closed off because of the large gatherings, but Shannon GP Dr Yvonne Williams says there was similar behaviour closer to home.
She’s described scenes in Lahinch yesterday as “shocking”.
Dr Williams has also spoken of huge numbers gathering on the cliffs, drinking late into the evening, with litter, broken bottles and cans left behind, not only on the dunes but down along the beach also.
The Shannon GP believes that based on the way people are behaving, the re-opening of the country is happening too quickly.
A senior HSE official has compared people socialising on the streets over the weekend to V-Day.
Chief Clinical Officer Colm Henry says some people have been acting as if the war against Covid is over.
