THE AMENITY area and car park at Lough Gur have been closed by Limerick City and County Council from yesterday, Thursday, April 9 until further notice as part of COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions.
As part of plans to help stop the spread of Covid-19, the heritage centre on the same site is already closed and there are no access to the walkways around the historic site.
A spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said although “it is regrettable” to take the action of closing the heritage site, in the interest of public safety “it is important that we make these tough decisions”.
People are urged to stay at home over the Easter weekend and to stay within their 2km limit of their homes while practising social distancing.
The measures come following appeals by Government for people not to become “complacent” with coronavirus travel restrictions in the lead-up to and over the Easter weekend.
Minister for Health Simon Harris told PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe on Classic Hits FM earlier this week that although Ireland has made “a good bit of progress” in slowing the spread of the virus, it was important to not let complacency slip in over this weekend.
The Minister for Health said, “If we got this weekend wrong or if we got a bit lazy or complacent, which is human nature, we’d actually end up going backwards to a very, very dark place.”
As things stand, the Minister told the Classic Hits FM programme the current measures could last some weeks longer, stressing the fact “we’re talking about a few more weeks, right, weeks rather than months, I hope”.
With enhanced measures being put in place also closing off the Great Southern Greenway last month, the Limerick City and County Council spokesperson said, “Unfortunately, the good weather doesn’t mean we can soften our resolve against Covid-19.”
The closure of both sites applies to everyone, including those who live within the 2km limit of Lough Gur and along the Greenway.
These announcements have been made following an appeal by the Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council Dr Pat Daly urging the people of Limerick to stay at home this Easter and not to travel beyond your 2km limit, continue to practice social/ distancing and help stop the spread of Covid-19.
