HEALTH chiefs on both sides of the border have warned of a spike in Covid-19 cases if people do not observe coronavirus guidelines as restrictions are eased.
The Public Health Authority (PHA) in Northern Ireland and the Health Service Executive (HSE) in the Republic issued the warning as shops in the north re-opened yesterday.
The re-opening of non-essential shops in border towns led to queues outside stores in Derry city centre and many towns around the border.
Queues along Derry’s Primark store formed a loop along Market Street and stretched onto the city’s walls from 6.30am yesterday morning. There also appeared to be a marked increase in traffic bearing southern car registrations in Derry, Strabane and Enniskillen yesterday afternoon.
PHA spokesman Dr Gerry Waldron urged people to continue to exercise caution and restraint to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Dr Waldron said everyone needed to act responsibly to control the spread of the virus.
“We know there is a temptation to travel either side of the border to engage in activities as lockdowns ease but if we see large numbers gathering or people abandoning public health advice, we could see cases rise significantly on both sides of the border. Viruses don’t recognise borders so we all need to adhere to the guidance,” Dr Waldron said.
HSE North West in Donegal urged people to get vaccinated if eligible and to continue to wear a mask, socially distance and wash their hands.
Dr Anthony Breslin said if guidelines were observed as restrictions eased, everyone could enjoy the benefits while keeping safe.
Dr Breslin said: “It is also important not to move beyond what the guidelines permit at any given time or to take advantage of differing circumstances either side of the border in a way which could increase risk.
“We also shouldn’t become complacent as vaccination continues to be rolled out. Vaccines have an important role to play but can never provide 100 per cent protection, which is why the other public health steps are still important.”
Dr Breslin said the opportunities for a return to normality were positive but could very quickly become negative again.
“The last thing we want to see is restrictions being re-introduced so it is important that every one of use does what we can to avoid that,” the HSE spokesman said.
