THE Cathaoirleach and Chief Executive of Kerry County Council have appealed to the people of Kerry to continue to adhere to the COVID-19 advice and restrictions over the Bank Holiday Weekend and not to be tempted to travel or meet others as part of the effort to ensure public health and safety.

Public car parks at beaches and a number of other amenity areas will remain closed over the May Bank Holiday weekend. There will be ongoing patrols of these areas by Council personnel with a possibility of further closures if requested by Gardai.

Cllr Niall Kelleher said that the long weekend must not be an excuse to change behaviour and he reiterated the appeal of the public health authorities for everyone to stay the course.

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“There are signs that the sacrifices we are all making are having an impact in the battle against this dreadful disease. It is hugely challenging for everyone to stay at home, to limit social contact and to stay away from our loved ones. But at this critical juncture, we must stay the course and not be tempted to relax our approach or change our behaviour.

“I am appealing to everyone in Kerry to stay at home this weekend and thereby show support for those on the frontline who are leading the response on the coronavirus,” he said.

Chief Executive Moira Murrell said that all of the public bodies and agencies in Kerry were continuing to work closely together to coordinate the response to COVID-19 but that this effort requires the cooperation of every citizen in the county.

“We are working closely with the HSE, An Garda Síochána, emergency services and other agencies to promote the “Stay at Home” message this weekend. I thank everyone in the county who has played such a key role in flattening the curve, but that effort must now continue.

‘For those that need support, the Community Response Helpline remains available all weekend from 8am to 8pm on 1800 807 009. I would urge anyone who needs support or advice to contact the helpline,” she added.

The Community Support helpline has to date, received over 1,400 calls for assistance. The number of calls directly to the helpline have marginally reduced.

Indications are that that relationships have been built between the community and local response agencies. This has resulted in individuals who are seeking assistance now making direct contact with local agencies in preference to ringing the community helpline.