Home Alone for Christmas

The easing of restrictions was meant to ensure a Christmas respite for families forced to keep their distance for most of the year – but for many, that’s already a forlorn hope.

Families anticipating the return home of loved ones from the UK saw flights cancelled at the eleventh hour and lockdown restrictions robbing them of their reunion.

And for those planning social gatherings closer to home, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney admitted this week that new Covid-19 restrictions were now likely before January 6 – the day they were due to be re-imposed.

Today’s Cabinet meeting will determine exactly how that will work – and while the Minister said the Government was acutely aware of the challenges facing people and businesses, the decision would be made to protect people and their health.

Meanwhile, visitor restrictions are again in place at UHG this week – and management warned the public not visit the hospital except on compassionate grounds.

UHG had 20 patients being treated for Covid-19 at the start of this week – thirteen confirmed cases and seven suspected; one of them in critical care.

Portiuncula, had three patients suspected of having Covid-19 and one in Intensive Care.

See full Covid-19 coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune, which is on sale earlier than usual, this Tuesday – or download your digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie