The Shannon-based President of Active Retirement Ireland has given a warm welcome to the announcement that social bubbles will be permitted for those living alone.
It comes amid mounting concerns about people’s mental health over the next few weeks, as level five restrictions come into force.
Samaritans says it expects to handle more than one thousand calls a day from people across the country struggling to cope with the new lockdown.
The charity says it will be a challenge to meet the renewed demand for its services as over 300 of its 1,500 volunteers are cocooning.
People are being asked to stay at home under level 5, host no visitors, and will only be allowed to exercise within 5 km of where they live.
Rory Fitzgerald, regional director of Samaritans Ireland, says the next 6 weeks will be harder than the initial lockdown as the days become shorter and colder.
But in contrast with the last lockdown in March, social bubbles are now allowed for those living alone or single parents, which means they can pair with one other household for visits.
This is something Age Action Ireland has been calling for on an ongoing basis over the past number of months.
It’s Shannon-based President, Kay Murphy says it comes as a massive relief for so many.
A leading psychotherapist says people should get outdoors where possible and to chat to family and friends over the phone.
Iseult White also says people should use trained services to help them cope.
