Newry Mourne & Down Council must close leisure centres says Cllr Willie Clarke.
Sinn Féin Party Group Leader on Newry Mourne & Down Council, Councillor Willie Clarke has contacted the CEO of the Council and political parties to request that Council-owned leisure centres shut with immediate effect as the threat from COVID19 intensifies.
Speaking on the issue, Willie Clarke said: “This morning I have written to both the CEO of Newry Mourne & Down Council and political parties on Council to propose that we shut leisure centres with immediate effect.
“This proposal follows the increased threat posed by COVID19 to the health and well-being of citizens.
“The closure of leisure centres is measured, rational and the correct choice. It will further strengthen our agreed plan as a council to combat COVID19.
“Leisure centres have been identified as ‘high risk’ locations for the transmission of the virus with a high volume of people in close proximity and sharing equipment.
“As a Council there is an obligation on us to not only protect the citizens of this city, but also our leisure centre and council staff.
“Sinn Féin will actively work in Newry Mourne & Down Council , as we are doing across the island, to protect the health and well-being of all our citizens in the time ahead.”
Across the whole of Ireland a possible 80,000 may need critical care according to the experts. The virus does not recognise borders. The NI Assembly Executive and the government in the ROI need to be working closely together on this critical pandemic.
And the council’s emergency committee will no doubt be seeking top medical advice on the difficult situation going forward in the short term.
