Cystic Fibrosis Ireland notes the recent statement by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar addresses future plans in relation to COVID-19. 

We are currently seeking more information and detail on what is proposed and best guidance for the CF Community, and will issues an information update in the coming days. 

Public health measures in place until 18 May to prevent the spread of COVID-19

The latest information in relation to cocooning, as published on the Department of Health Website is as follows;

Everyone is urged to stay in their home wherever possible until Monday 18 May. Staying at home is the best way to minimise the risk of COVID-19 to your friends, families and communities.

These measures were initially in place until 12 April but they have been extended as they are making a huge difference in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Staying in means staying in control of this outbreak.

The changes to the public health guidelines that will come into place next Tuesday 5 May are:

• people will be able to go up to 5 kilometres from their home to exercise

• those who are cocooning can leave their homes for exercise or a drive as long as they avoid all contact with other people

Cocooning is a measure to protect those over 70 years and those extremely medically vulnerable by minimising interaction between them and others. This means that these people should leave their homes as little as possible. Even within their homes they should minimise all non-essential contact with other members of their household.

This is to protect those who are at very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 from coming into contact with the virus.

From next Tuesday 5 May, you can go up to 5 kilometres from your home for exercise or a drive as long as you avoid all contact with other people.

You are strongly advised to stay at home as much as possible. 

If you are over 70 years of age or have a condition which makes you extremely medically vulnerable you are strongly advised to cocoon, to reduce the chance of getting COVID-19 and follow the face-to-face distancing measures below.

The measures are:

• strictly avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of COVID-19. These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough

• stay at home as much as possible. From next Tuesday 5 May, you can go up to 5 kilometres from your home for exercise or a drive as long as you avoid all contact with other people

• do not attend any gatherings. This includes gatherings of friends and families in private spaces for example family homes, weddings and religious services

• do not go out for shopping and, when arranging food or medication deliveries, these should be left at the door to minimise contact

• keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media

• do use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services

• ensure you keep phones/devices charged, and have credit on your phone so that you can stay connected

We know that stopping these activities will be difficult. You should try to identify ways of staying in touch with others and participating in your normal activities remotely from your home.

However, you must not participate in alternative activities if they involve any contact with other people.

For information on the current restrictions please visit the Deparment of Health website. Further information is also available on the HSE website.

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland will issue an update to members in the coming days. We are currently seeking more information and detail on what is proposed and best guidance for the CF Community.