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The bank holiday weekend isn’t a break from the hard work of dealing with COVID-19, frontline public sector workers in Kerry have warned.

Staff from the HSE, An Garda Síochána and Kerry County Council joined together this week for a photo demonstrating that they’re standing together – but still apart – in the county’s battle to keep COVID-19 at bay.

Doctors, nurses, mental health services staff, Gardaí and staff from Kerry County Council came together with one main message – asking the people of Kerry to keep up their trojan efforts.

“We’re working so hard to make sure that essential services keep running despite the impact of COVID-19,” Mary O’Mahony, Areas Director of Nursing, Kerry Mental Health Services said.

“Today, we’re asking the people of Kerry to support our efforts by continuing to stay at home where possible, and following all other guidelines. Sadly, the more we move around, the more risk we create.”

Majella Daly, Primary Care Service Manager, Cork Kerry Community Health Care asked the people of Kerry to keep up the work which has been successful so far in flattening the curve.

“We know that at this stage it’s getting very hard to stay apart. With a bank holiday weekend coming up, it will be very tempting to think that it’s ok to ‘bend the rules’. Unfortunately, the risk of catching COVID-19 is still high and we still need everyone’s support. Everything you have done so far has made a huge difference – but it could all be undermined so quickly. Together, we have achieved so much. Now it’s up to each of us to keep that up that work.”

The frontline workers praised the people of Kerry for the way in which they have faced COVID-19 as a community, and asked them to continue to work together and support each other in these difficult times.

Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Niall Kelleher added his voice to the appeal to everyone to stay home, particularly over the coming bank holiday weekend.

“So much has already been achieved in flattening the curve and limiting the spread of the Coronavirus. The sacrifices so far have contributed towards the national effort to stop this dreadful disease. I am appealing to people in Kerry to continue to stay home, particularly over the long weekend. There can be no room for complacency. The short-term pain will be worth the long-term gain. I send every good wish to the frontline workers in the HSE and across the public sector as the fight against COVID-19 continues,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Finn advised that many checkpoints will be in place in the coming days.

“Operation Fanacht will once again see an extensive network of checkpoints established across the country until Monday night. The operation will see large-scale checkpoints on both main and secondary routes and in towns and villages. This will support travel restrictions put in place to help flatten the curve and save lives. There has been great compliance with the travel restrictions and we want to thank the public for this. The appreciation that has been shown to us frontline workers is outstanding and again I would like to thank you all. However, it remains vital that you continue to play your part and stay at home if possible - this will continue to save lives,” he said.

Kerry is known for its community spirit, and that spirit has been to the fore during the COVID-19 crisis, and Community Work Manager with Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Hilary Scanlan thanked the community and voluntary sector across Kerry for their swift and generous response.

“The 32 Community Meals Services are delivering good quality nutritious hot meals five and six days a week in urban areas and three and four days a week in the rural areas.

Volunteers are supported by the GAA and Gardai to deliver meals, as well as groceries, fuel and prescriptions, there is hardly a mile of the county that is not covered,” she said.

• The Kerry Community Response Forum phone line is on 1800 807 009 and runs seven days a week, 8am to 8pm. You can also text “SUPPORT” followed by your name to 50555 or email covidsupport@kerrycoco.ie.
• For video supports on how to manage with the emotional impact of COVID-19, see hse.ie/corkkerryhealthyireland or search for “Cork Kerry Community Healthcare” on YouTube.