Minister for Health Simon Harris has been speaking about the prospects of relaxing some of the measures introduced in the Republic to combat the spread of Covid19.
Any cyclists looking for good news, or hoping conditions will markedly change for cyclists very soon, will be left disappointed by his remarks.
However, there is some hope for those who badly want to return to cycling on the open roads again beyond the 2km zone around their homes.
While Mr Harris has not referenced cycling specifically, he has given his thoughts on holding large sports events this year and also the 2km restriction on exercise.
He added Ireland was doing well, with the curve flattened and numbers in intensive care lowering, but the next two weeks was vital. And he encouraged everyone in the Republic to continue to adhere to the Covid19 measures in place.
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At present people must stay within 2km of their homes
when exercising, something that has impacted leisure and racing cyclists.
Older people have been asked to cocoon – which effectively
means staying at home in all circumstances.
Group rides have not been possible since the first
Covdi19 measures were introduced, as they would breach the requirement to
socially distance; stay two metres away from anyone except those you live with.
Furthermore, the knock-on effect of these measures has
meant sportives and races have been suspended since the second weekend in March
and will remain so until at least after May 5th.
However, with the just over two weeks remaining to the
May 5th date, when the current round of lock-down restrictions
expires, thoughts are now turning to what measures may be relaxed at that time.
The news is mixed for cyclists, according to what
Minister Harris has told a number of media outlets today.
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He explained the Government was currently examining the 2km exercise zone, but added there would be "no light switch moment" when all restrictions in place now would suddenly be lifted.
"I'd like to see a situation where you could expand somewhat the areas in which people can go beyond their home,” Mr Harris told The Irish Independent.
Harris added he could not see mass gatherings taking
place this year, including large scale sporting events.
However, while the media has focused on the fact that his
comments throw into doubt the GAA’s football and hurling championships because
of the large crowds that attend games, it is not clear if medium sized events
without large crowds – such as cycling races or sportives – could be held.
Mr Harris gave a glimmer of hope that some form of sport,
though possibly only very small gatherings, might be possible.
“Could you get to a point where you can't have massive
GAA matches, but you could have local kids having a kick-about safely, that's
the sort of space that we're in, that we need to work our way through," he
said.
Furthermore, he added the things that would return to
Irish life more quickly are those where social distancing was possible.
This is perhaps a positive for cyclists soon being able
to ride alone beyond the 2km zone, though only time will tell.
And if children were allowed to meet for casual
sport-based exercising, cyclists will hope that could be extended to group rides.
However, that is not clear yet.
Harris has said he doubts if Ireland will see packed pubs
at any time before a vaccine for Covid19 is available.
He added while the return of primary schools was being
considered, this may take the form of children attending just once per week. Social
distancing measures would need to be in place and children may only attend
briefly once per week initially.
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