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Racing

Government advise against matches but racing goes on in Midlands

The Government say no matches should take place in the counties of Offaly, Laois and Kildare for ...



Government advise against matc...
Racing

Government advise against matches but racing goes on in Midlands

The Government say no matches should take place in the counties of Offaly, Laois and Kildare for the next two weeks. 

It follows a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases in the Midlands counties.

However, horse racing will be allowed to continue behind closed doors, as has been the case since the June 8 meeting at Naas.

Non-contact sports will also be allowed to continue, while training for contact sports outdoors will be capped at 15 people.

Over the past fourteen days, 289 cases of COVID-19 have arisen in Kildare, Laois and Offaly. These represent almost half of all cases detected in Ireland during that time.

The Taoiseach Micheal Martin said on Friday evening, "We have to be decisive, we can't afford to wait and see - the disease is not waiting.

"We must protect public health to the greatest extent possible, everything else is secondary to that."

The measures come into effect from midnight tonight, but Offaly GAA will apply them immediately.

It means tonight's planned Football Championship meeting of Edenderry and Shamrocks in Rhode has been postponed.

Kildare GAA also confirmed all games would be suspended, adding, "We continue to encourage all members of the GAA community to adhere to the public health guidelines."

The restrictions will remain in place until midnight on Friday, August 20.

HSE chief executive Paul Reid said: "We have worked so hard as a people to suppress this virus.

"Our success to date in containing the spread of this virus has been as a result of the solidarity of all of our people in following public health advice.

"We all need to redouble those efforts now, particularly in the three counties worst affected.

"I want to urge everyone to continue to wash their hands, maintain social distance, wear a face covering on public transport and in shops and sign up to the COVID App.

"The people of Laois, Offaly and Kildare I know will be particularly disappointed tonight to be taking a step back.

"I want to assure them that the HSE will continue to bring every resource at its disposal to support them in reducing the spread of COVID-19."

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Coronavirus Covid-19 GAA Kildare Laois Midlands Offaly