Sinn Féin leader brands UK Covid-19 response ‘dangerous’

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has described the UK Government’s approach to tackling Covid-19 as “dangerous and reckless”.

Schools and colleges in the Republic of Ireland have closed amid the coronavirus crisis, while bars and pubs have been asked by the Irish Government to shut.

However, the UK has adopted a different approach - opting so far not to shut schools or ban mass gatherings – and schools in Northern Ireland remain open “for now”.

Speaking ahead of a meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and other party leaders in Dublin, Mary Lou McDonald said: “It is essential that we adopt an all-island approach to this crisis.

“The measures being introduced to contain the spread of Covid-19 will only work if they are in place on both sides of the border.

“I will be asking the Taoiseach to contact the British Prime Minister on this issue as a matter of urgency.

“It is absolutely imperative that we have a single all-Ireland approach and the Taoiseach has a huge responsibility now to be in touch with London and Boris Johnson to press that point home.”

Ms McDonald welcomed the decision taken by the Government on Sunday to ask all pubs to close and said it needs to be extended to restaurants.

She said: “We are conscious of the impact the current public health crisis is having on people’s lives.

“While we welcome yesterday’s decision to close all pubs and hotel bars, the government must now heed the Restaurants Association of Ireland to also close all restaurants and cafes before St Patrick’s Day.”

Meanwhile, Croke Park in Dublin is set to be used as a drive-through testing facility for Ireland’s Health Services, with those requiring testing to be given appointments to attend.

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