Civilian enforcers are a way out of lockdown, business groups say

Enhanced role for the HSA also suggested as Cabinet considers how to reopen Irish society and economy safely 

Business representatives have urged a cautious approach to easing restrictions to avoid a repeat of December's reopening which led to a new wave of cases and deaths from Covid-19. Picture: Andy Gibson

Business groups have urged the Government to recruit an army of civilian health enforcers and to replace gardaí as a way out of the worst of the level 5 Covid-19 lockdown.      

It comes as the Government considers potential measures to lift some of the Covid-19 restrictions — but in ways that will not lead to a repeat of the disastrous reopening of the economy in December that led to a new wave of cases and deaths from the pandemic.