From Monday 8th June, the Government have progressed to Phase 2 of the Roadmap for re-opening Ireland. 

Advice for those cocooning

If you are medically vulnerable, please use your judgement to decide how best to apply the following public health guidance:

• Stay at home as much as possible
• You may welcome small numbers of people to your home, but maintain social distancing
• For shopping, please use the times specially allocated by retailers.  
  Please contact Samantha Byrne on sbyrne@cfireland.ie if you need a letter to support you in this regard.
• If you are visiting someone who is over 70 years or medically vulnerable, please be extra vigilant

Further guidance for medically vulnerable people can be found here.

It important to note, that the measures outlined below are to minimise risk of COVID-19 infection but as with any social interaction, risk cannot be completely eliminated.

If you choose to go for outside for exercise you should:

• Strictly adhere to 2 metres physical (social) distancing measures
• Avoid close face-to-face contact
• Avoid touching people or surfaces
• Wash your hands on returning home

If you choose to go for a drive, you should adhere to the following measures:

• Stay local and within a 20km distance from your home
• Don’t share the journey with anyone who is not cocooning with you
• Strictly adhere to the 2 metres physical (social) distancing measures when out
• Wash your hands on returning home
   

The use of public transport is to be avoided if possible, should only be used in non peak times and where a physical distance of 2 metres can be maintained. Face coverings should be used, and wash your hands on returning home.

If you need to attend essential services for example healthcare appointments and have no other means of attending other than getting a taxi, the following measures can be taken to minimise risk of spread:

• Indicate to the driver in advance that you are cocooning
• Maintain strict hand hygiene
• The use of face coverings for both passenger and driver
• Keeping as much distance as is practical

Shops are now opening up to customers and many of these shops plan to have dedicated hours for those who are cocooning.

If you choose to go shopping, it is best to adhere to the following measures:

• Attend shops that provide dedicated hours for those who are cocooning which will enable you to do your shopping in a safer way
• Ideally wear a face covering
• Strictly adhere to the 2 metres physical (social) distancing measures when out
• Wash your hands on returning home

Please contact Samantha Byrne on sbyrne@cfireland.ie if you need a letter to support you in this regard.

If other services, for example the library service can provide dedicated hours for those cocooning then it is reasonable to attend for short periods, taking the necessary precautions regarding physical distancing, hand washing and face covering.

You can also have a small number of visitors to your home (outdoors as much as possible), ideally from a core group of family or friend who are aware of your circumstances and willing to adhere to protective measures while you cocoon. In addition, visitors must not visit you if they are unwell, should keep at least 2 metres away from you, wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds on arrival to your house and should wear face coverings.

If you choose to visit other people’s homes, tell them in advance that you are coming, make sure that no one in the household is unwell with COVID-19, ideally wear a face covering, strictly adhere to the 2 metres physical (social) distancing measures and wash your hands on returning home. Make the visits outdoors as much as possible.

You may also attend a funeral of a close relative or friend, but as with any gathering of people, it is important that you maintain strict physical distancing, strictly adhere to 2 metres physical (social) distancing measures, wear a face covering, avoid close face-to-face contact, avoid touching people and wash your hands on returning home.

In general, group activities or group sports should be avoided at this time.  It would not be advised that children with CF attend Summer Camps or mass sporting activities.

Those who are working remotely should continue to do so and only return to the workplace if appropriate safety measures are in place.

Visits from people who provide essential support to you such as healthcare, personal support with your daily needs or social care should continue, but carers and care workers must stay away if they have any of the symptoms of COVID-19. They may find this guidance for health and social care workers who visit homes useful. All people coming to your home should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds on arrival to your house and often whilst they are there.

If you have someone else living with you, who does not fit the criteria for cocooning, they are not required to adopt these protective cocooning measures for themselves. They should do what they can to support you in cocooning and they should stringently follow guidance on physical distancing, reducing their contact outside the home. They should wash their hands thoroughly and regularly, especially upon arrival home and observe good respiratory etiquette at all times.

If you care for but don’t actually live with someone who is extremely medically vulnerable you should still stringently follow the public health guidance on physical distancing.

Handwashing and respiratory hygiene guidelines still apply.