Public Health Measures during surge in COVID-19 cases

We are experiencing an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases in Ireland.

Ireland is at level 5 restrictions.

You can see the measures in place here.

We ask everyone, for the protection of our friends, family and the frontline, to please stay at home.

COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

The vaccination programme continues to be rolled out nationwide, and we have administered a total of 121,900 Covid-19 vaccines (up to 20^th January).

The focus has been on residents and staff of Long Term Care Facilities (LTCFs) this week, with the aim of completing the first vaccinations by 24^thJanuary, though some locations may be slightly delayed due to outbreaks or other circumstances.

This week we have also begun to administer second doses of Pfizer – BioNtech vaccine for the first time.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme will be further accelerated as vaccines arrive, and it will involve a national partnership with GPs, Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals across Ireland.   

We encourage everyone to read about the COVID-19 vaccine and to get their information from a factual, trusted source – here are the links to the pages with information on the vaccine:

• Check hse.ie/covid19vaccine for information about the vaccine, information on this page is updated regularly
• Find the vaccine information materials at www.hse.ie/covid19vaccinematerials
• Details on getting the COVID-19 vaccine is updated regularly here
• Read the full COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy
• Read the National Immunisation Advisory Committee Chapter about COVID-19 vaccine
• COVID-19 vaccine information for health professionals 

 

Self-isolation and restricted movements

You can watch the latest self-isolation and restricted movements ad here. We would be grateful for help in sharing this important information. 

 

Stay at Home posters

You can find the latest COVID-19 Stay at Home posters here.

 

Tidy Towns 2020 and 2021

In 2020, the Tidy Towns competition was cancelled in the interests of public health and safety, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, the Minister for Rural and Community Development announced that the competition will take place in 2021. However, the format of the competition may be altered to fit with COVID-19 restrictions.

Rules

Who can enter?

Entry into the Tidy Towns competition is voluntary and the competition is open to every village, town and city area in the State. The competition is for local communities who are interested in improving the quality of their surroundings and, in the process, developing community spirit. In general, entries are voluntary committees that identify the work that needs to be done and carry it out in co-operation with other local interests (for example, local authorities, businesses, residents' associations and volunteers).

Age Friendly Ireland Newsletter

Please see today’s Age Friendly Ireland Newsletter now available online here

Stay cozy everyone……   It is not the answer that enlightens….but the question 

Warm regards

Mary Creedon

 

www.corkcoco.ie

Newly reported Brazilian Covid variant.

 Dear all,

Please see messaging below from the Department of Housing on behalf of the Department of the Taoiseach, in relation to the newly reported Brazilian Covid variant.

If you can help in getting this message out to your networks or relevant communities it would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards

Sophie

 

• All passengers who have arrived from Brazil in January are requested to come forward for a COVID-19 PCR test.  This test can be obtained by going to a GP and seeking a referral.  GPs have been alerted and will facilitate this without any charge.
• These travellers are also strongly advised to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of arrival.
• The HSE’s contracted isolation facility at the Citywest Hotel complex is available to those who are unable to self-isolate in their own homes for any reason and is an option for people from Brazil in this situation.

 

 

Sophie Ryan   |  Oifigeach Cúnta Foirne

Oibríochtaí Ceantair Bardasacha & Forbairt Tuaithe

Comhairle Contae Chorcaí, Halla an Chontae, Corcaigh, T12 R2NC Éire

T: 021 428 5320| e: sophie.ryan@corkcoco.ie |  www.corkcoco.ie

 

Sophie Ryan   |  Assistant Staff Officer

Municipal District Operations & Rural Development

Cork County Council | County Hall | Cork, T12R2NC Ireland

T 021 428 5320| e:  sophie.ryan@corkcoco.ie |  www.corkcoco.ie   

Cork County Council Announces €1.8m Fund for Community and Voluntary Groups

 

Following a challenging year for the community and voluntary sector, Cork County Council is delighted to announce funding to the value of over €1.8million to support local communities in 2021. The Council’s Community Fund Scheme provides financial support to a range of groups and organisations right across the county and will open for applications on Monday, January 11^th.

The scheme is administered locally by the Council’s eight Municipal Districts and provides financial assistance to a wide variety of community, sporting and voluntary organisations under three distinctive fund types; the Capital Fund, Community Contract and the Amenity Fund. Each year, these funding schemes support a range of projects and initiatives, such as supporting the work of Tidy Towns groups and Community Associations, as well as providing much needed assistance for local infrastructural works and sports and leisure facilities.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, welcomed the announcement of the 2021 fund, noting that Cork communities have demonstrated huge resilience and innovation over the past year,

“I am continually impressed by the works carried out by community groups under this scheme. The Council’s Community Fund supports many worthwhile projects and initiatives every year and I am delighted to announce that this support will continue in 2021. This year’s fund will be a lifeline to many groups, following the many challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic has posed for our communities”.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey, noted that this is Cork County Council’s seventh year providing the Community Fund Scheme,

“In 2021 we are making over €1.8million available to communities through our General Municipal Allocation. Cork County Council’s annual commitment to supporting community and voluntary groups across the county has never been more important. I am delighted to confirm that despite the challenges of Covid-19, we are able to continue to provide significant financial support to our communities this year and in doing so, a welcome boost for our towns and villages”.

Application details and guidelines for the scheme will be available online at www.yourcouncil.ie from Monday January 11^th 2021 and will close at 4pm on Friday February 19^th 2021. Further information is available in the Guidelines for The 2021 Community Fund.

5 Million new free postcards from An Post to brighten up January

 

• Two new free postage-paid postcards for every home
• Customers invited to Design Your Own Card for family and friends
• Community Supports to continue
• Increased business supports for SMEs

 

14 January, 2021:  An Post is inviting the nation to Brighten up January with a two new free postcards to be delivered to every home from next week.  

The large format postcards are postage paid for delivery within Ireland and each household will receive two cards – one with a printed design and one blank for decorating by customers of all ages.  An Post’s first free postcard initiative launched in March last year proved hugely popular with customers during the country’s first period of Lockdown.

An Post’s Julie Gil explains: “As we continue to support each other by staying apart and staying home, it’s the right time to Send Love to family and friends, particularly those who are living alone.   We’re delighted to present our second free set of postcards for customers, and this time we are inviting everyone to enjoy making their greeting extra-special with their own personal design.

“We saw wonderful artwork on the postcards last year so we’re giving customers of all ages the space to be even more creative this time around.  Your messages of love and solidarity will brighten people’s homes over the weeks ahead. 

“Irish Postmen and Postwomen will continue to provide Community Focus supports including check-ins, newspaper delivery and free post for nursing home residents so that we can all stay connected while staying apart.  We’ll leave no-one behind.

“An Post’s range of business supports for SMEs are also being extended to help them grow their business and customer relationships”, she added. 

SMEs

An Post Commerce is extending its support for Irish SMEs.  SME discounts on parcel labels are being increased from 25% to 34% with immediate effect.  Details at anpost.com/commerce.

An Post Commerce will also provide a series of Expert Insights based on real life learnings from SMEs on business successes and challenges in the Covid environment, such as better trading online, building on new customer relationships and Seamless Shipping Worldwide.

Community Focus - An Post is continuing its range of Community Focus supports for customers:

• Check-In:  An Post delivery staff will continue to check in regularly with ‘seniors’ along their postal routes.  Family members of older or vulnerable customers can register for a specific free check-in for a relative at anpost.com/CommunityFocus.

 

• Postage Pick-Up for Older/Vulnerable customers:  If older or vulnerable customers are unable to get out to buy stamps a card or letter, their postperson will pick up the item and An Post will cover the postage. 

 

• Newspaper Delivery:  An Post will provide same-day delivery of newspapers for older and vulnerable customers Monday to Friday.  Customers can find out more at anpost.com/CommunityFocus or newsdelivery.ie

 

• Temporary Agent for Post Office Social Welfare Collection: Customers can nominate a Temporary Agent to collect social welfare payments (eg Pension) at the Post Office.  Forms are available at all post offices and anpost.com/Communityfocus.  9am – 11am on Friday is the dedicated period for seniors to collect payments and do other post office business.

 

• Postage to and from Nursing and Care Homes:  An Post is providing free postage on letters to and from residents of Nursing and Care homes in the State.  By writing FREEPOST where the stamp normally goes, An Post will carry cards and letters to residents without a postage stamp.

 

Postcards will be delivered to homes, homeless hubs, nursing/care homes and prisons nationwide from Wednesday 20^th January.

Cork County Council’s Covid 19 Emergency Fund

 Cork County Council’s Covid 19 Emergency Fund opens for applications on today Monday January 18^th and will close at 4pm on Friday February 5^th.

 

Applications can be made via www.yourcouncil.ie wherein you will also find associated guidelines.  For your information, see attached press release

 

Regards,

Kay

 

 

Kay Keegan

LCDC Chief Officer

Community Development Unit

Economic Development, Enterprise & Tourism

Cork County Council

Business Growth Hub

County Hall