Sir, – I wholeheartedly agree with William Ryan’s view that there is no sense in limiting travel to 5km (Letters, March 22nd). It is not that many years ago that my parents used to “go for a drive” on a summer evening or Sunday afternoon. Off they would go round the county. They might not stop anywhere at all. Neither was in any need of exercise so they rarely got out of the car. They simply wanted to get away and see the sights. Why cannot we do the same now? – Yours, etc,
RICHARD ALLEN,
Cummeen,
Sligo.
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Sir, – The motto of Dublin city is “The obedience of the citizens produces a happy city.” In order for citizens to obey the rules they need to believe that there are valid reasons behind them.
I am in complete agreement with William Ryan that insisting on a 5km travel limit makes little or no sense in the context of the current pandemic. On the contrary, more emphasis should be placed on the need to avoid human contact.
I live in Dublin city and in order to avail of necessary physical exercise in my local parks, I am coming into close contact with the crowds also exercising there. Nowadays, most people make no effort to keep to a two- metre distance. This is also difficult on footpaths which are not wide enough and can necessitate walking on the road instead.
In pre-pandemic times, two of us from the same household regularly drove to the Wicklow Mountains where we went hiking in the deserted countryside, meeting no other people. Why is it now an offence to do that?
Please release us from this unnecessary restriction and let common sense prevail. – Yours, etc,
KATHLEEN FORDE,
Whitehall,
Dublin 9.
Sir, – I live in Co Dublin near to the county boundary and have close family in Kildare and in Wicklow. If a 20km limit is imposed, I get to see my grandchildren. If a county boundary is imposed, I don’t. – Yours, etc,
CAITRÍONA McCLEAN,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.