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IT’S OUR SECOND year enduring a Covid Christmas.
Nphet has written to the Government with its thoughts on reimposing restrictions this festive season with pub opening times and max numbers at a table all in the crosshairs.
Even this morning, there has been confusion over the Government’s rollout of mandatory testing for people entering Ireland.
So, this morning we want to know: Will you change your Christmas travel plans this year?
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Cases mean nothing. There are 63% less in hospital than during the spike in January.
@Ruairi Colton: would it be better to compare to this time last year instead of January?
@Frainc Ó Broin: Absolutely and there were 185 confirmed cases in hospital on Dec 12th 2020 compared to 528 today.
@Rochelle: We had been in lockdown for 6 weeks this time last year, don’t let facts get in the way of your arguments though!
@Paddy Kennedy: So lockdown was successful in that it kept hospital cases low ?
@Tommy Roche: No lockdown was successful when we didn’t have any vaccines, which is completely different to the current situation.
Erm NO, I’m not going anywhere but have people coming in and I’ve given up on the ‘all in this together’ as it doesn’t seem to be the case, it’s more what suits at the time and the wind direction and if it’s a Tuesday with an odd number date. Am being safe and sensible etc. And have some LFT thingys and if I’m sick I’ll stay at home and get rightly tested and that’s it. The doom and gloom is killing people and there’s a minority thriving on it!
@This time its personable!: Exactly. The same minority that’s been here since March 2020 talking about the “doom and gloom merchants” and the “sheep” and the “scare mongering” (about an obviously very real virus that’s killed at least 5.5 million people so far). I’m sick to the teeth of them, frankly.
@JusticeForJoe:
Well those ICUs don’t fill themselves
@JusticeForJoe: lap it up there boy and enjoy the misery you choose to live in.
@This time its personable!: I don’t live in any misery. You’re just wrong about everything really, aren’t ya? I’m just keeping up to speed with what’s happening while you’re making up your own reality because you’re scared of the real one.
I’m travelling home from UK for ten days to see family, and will be taking all precautions. I.e. testing before travel, then masking & distancing in busy spaces. The new variant doesn’t cost me any extra thought, would have taken same precautions anyway to ensure I’m not putting family and friends at risk…
@Sea__Point: My aren’t you a goody goody two shoes?
@Robert Clifford: aren’t u an id¥€t
@Sea__Point: same here. Booked my flights back in august and heading in two weeks. Double vaxed. Getting a PCR test before I depart. Getting another one when I land in Ireland. Limiting my socializing here as much as possible. Getting proper masks. And I’m doing it to keep myself safe and my family safe too. Who wouldn’t do that at this point.
Friend of the family flew in from Spain around Midday yesterday, no checks whatsoever. Her boyfriend flew in from Spain last weekend and no checks either. Both are double-vaxxed but they were bemused to find out how lax Dublin airport is at present.
@LaoisWeather: I can see why to be honest. You have guys in the airport who have their normal jobs to do and are being asked to do added work on top of this (checking certs, PCR tests etc) without being paid any extra as far as I know. They are already on skeleton numbers as it is.
@BlaaBoy: I agree, but it is a joke that the government expects the population to lock down when cases get out of hand because they allow potential cases to walk through the borders unchecked.
@LaoisWeather: That because they were already checked at the Airport they departed from. As I was checked before I boared the plane .. but don’t let the facts get in the way..
@Christybhoy67: there is no guarantee that they were checked leaving the country of origin. Same way we have customs in the country of origin and the country of arrival, it should be the same for pcr, but not Ireland sure this government fly people in from different countries to pick fruit while we are in lockdown with a travel ban in place. Ireland is a laughing stock at this stage
@LaoisWeather: Couldn’t believe it either coming through from Doha …just a quick look at my passport.. I had my covid cert and copy of passenger locator form ready … Just waved through…
@LaoisWeather: the checks are in the departure airport not the arrival airport.
@Gary Mullen: there is a guarantee they were checked leaving the country of origin. You cannot board a flight without these checks happening. That’s a fact. I’ve been travelling every 2 weeks for work since the 25th July. Checks happen every single time from departure point. So don’t let the facts whack you in the face before you spout your nonsense.
@JustMeHere: I flew back from visiting the U.K. just after the new variant was discovered. There were no checks on U.K. side or in Ireland, other than for my passport. Passenger locator form and vaccination status was not checked. It’s not that it fits any narrative, but that’s exactly what is happening.
I have no plans to travel anyway
Nope! Not a chance of changing. Have my motorhome and will travel the length and breadth of Ireland in it. Might even take a trip over to Wales!!! Happy Christmas to you all and have a peaceful one.
@Brian Kelly: Might be lucky enough to get snowed in to a cosy wee pub:) Enjoy.
@Franny Ando: That’s the stuff of dreams.
@Franny Ando: ohhhhh yessss! My Motorhome is soooo cozy and warm, and to have a pub close by and snowed in….. bliss D
Looking forward to Leoparstown Racing this year ,if the gombeen men allowed the Aviva to open for 100,000 people what harm are a few horses and jockeys running around in the rain while the punters (mugs) enjoy a few hot whiskeys?
@Paul Mc: fat chance, unfortunately
Was hoping to get home to Scotland but too much of a risk have underlying conditions as does my mum and brother. Did mange to get home in September after 2 years and really careful but my husband got Covid I didn’t was really worried about my mum and brother luckily they didn’t get Covid. So me and the husband will be working some of it as both work in health care.
Christmas dinner with the immediate family. A walk.om the beach with flasks of hot whiskey with the broader family after. Can’t wait. Did it last year and prefer it to “normal” Christmas.
@Vonvonic: Sounds lovely…enjoy
@Barbara Stewart: … and the very same to you.
Can’t afford to :(
Should have been an additional question
We’re you planning to travel this Christmas.
My answer would have changed from no change to not travelling
A 2 answer poll is never accurate of public opinion
Not a chance. Already missed family Xmas last year, already booked for Italy in 15 days from now :)
No but I’m not travelling anywhere
I’m going home from San Francisco for my Mother’s 100th. birthday next week. Were it such a big milestone, I wouldn’t dream of going back with the restrictions, testing etc. We don’t even know if we will all be allowed into the nursing home, but hoping for the best.
Not travelling anyway.
No. I’m not tempting fate,
On the plus side, I don’t have to stock up on booze now for visiting relatives who should stay at home anyway.
Will you Gareth?
Yes I am going to mars
Immediately no.
Packed night clubs, packed sporting events and not a mask to be seen. Government & public ignoring virologist & other scientists research and advice.
What did you think was going to happen, plus wearing a mask is the easiest thing you will ever do.
COP the FLIck on.
have your say