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"Be your own risk manager" - WHO warning on international travel

The World Health Organisation is warning Irish people that now is “not the time to relax” whe...
Michael Staines
Michael Staines

08.53 26 Jul 2020


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"Be your own risk manager...

"Be your own risk manager" - WHO warning on international travel

Michael Staines
Michael Staines

08.53 26 Jul 2020


Share this article


The World Health Organisation is warning Irish people that now is “not the time to relax” when it comes to COVID-19.

Twenty-four new cases of the virus were confirmed in Ireland yesterday, and one further death was announced.

Meanwhile, the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said the reproductive rate of the virus has fallen – with the R number sitting at around 1.1.

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On Newstalk Breakfast with Shane Beatty this morning, WHO spokesperson Dr Margaret Harris said Ireland is “doing well” but warned that the country must learn the lessons from other countries that have seen a resurgence in cases.

“It is not the time to relax,” she said, “It’s time to learn how to live differently and safely with COVID-19.”

Dr Harris noted that there are “accelerating, intense, huge” outbreaks in many countries – particularly in the Americas.

“We are looking at 10 countries accounting for 80% of new cases so that gives you an idea of how intense it is,” she said. “But also, we are now seeing spikes in western Europe, where we had seen success in bringing numbers down.”

Travel

She said anyone considering travelling outside the country has a responsibility to be their “own risk manager and make decisions for the good of everybody.

“The first thing I would say to anybody who is travelling is, think about why are you travelling – do you really need to travel?” she said.

“Secondly, where are you travelling? Do you really know the epidemiology in that area? Not just the country but the area you are going to because it is different in different parts of the countries people may be travelling to.

“Thirdly, be aware that things may change very quickly. You may go to an area on the safe list and by the time you come back it may not be.

“So, weigh up all those things and be your own risk manager. Think about what choices you are making and why; what your risks are and make your decisions wisely.”

Schools

Dr Harris said a lot of work needs to be done to allow schools to safely reopen – warning that children who don’t get sick can still spreads the virus and young teenagers can get just as sick as young adults.

She said Irish people should continue to follow the guidelines that helped us slow the spread of the virus during the first wave.

“It is not a time for complacency,” she said. “All this belief that was out there that suddenly in summer everything would be fine? No. This is not a virus that cares about the weather. It is a virus that wants to be where we are transmitting between us.”


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