Cross-border cooperation needed in the fight against Covid-19 – McGahon

Fine Gael Senator John McGahon has called for much closer cross-border cooperation in the fight against Covid-19 as Northern Ireland recorded 934 new cases yesterday, the highest number to date.

Senator McGahon said, “Covid does not recognise borders and it’s extremely important that all lines of communication are open between North and South. From Dundalk to Donegal, the border is seamless with the social fabric of its communities intertwined.

“We really need to increase these lines of communications so all potential Covid cases are identified and proper procedures followed. It is vital that we do this as quickly as possible as we face into Winter.

“Covid does not respect borders or boundaries and as a result we really need to make sure we have covered every single aspect of cross border co-operation, whether that’s with contact tracing, increased communication between NPHET and the NHS, or ensuring that the restrictions on both sides of the border are clearly communicated.

“There has to be a level playing field on both sides of the border in terms of a joint response to Covid. Essentially, I want to call for a stepping up of all cross-border cooperation in all areas.

“People go to restaurants across the border, they go shopping, they socialise. They go to sporting events or their workplaces across border. This will require an all-Island effort to bring the virus under control.

“The infection rate in Northern Ireland is five times higher than in the Republic. It’s not just the Derry/Strabane area where high infections are occurring, but right across the border area.

“The only way we can attempt to bring Covid under control in border areas is to really increase the cooperation between the two administrations on this island and take a full all island approach to tackling Covid, particularly in the border region,” Senator McGahon concluded.