Message from Consulate General of Ireland – Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
News
06 February 2020Dear Friends and Members of the Irish Community
The team in the Consulate have been responding to queries from the Irish community in recent weeks and with many returning from Chinese New Year travel in recent days, I thought it might be timely to provide a general update from the perspective on the Consulate General of Ireland on the Wuhan-originated Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Please be assured that we have been maintaining ongoing contact with the Embassy in Beijing, our colleagues in Dublin as well as diplomatic colleagues in the region and the local authorities in Hong Kong and Macao to assess a rapidly evolving situation to ensure a measured and coordinated response to the situation.
Travel Advice
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade has updated travel advice in the region and this continues to be reviewed regularly and amended as appropriate.
In this regard, we are advising that Irish citizens should:
- Avoid all non-essential travel to and within Mainland China (more detailed information available here.
- Maintain a high degree of caution for travel to Hong Kong & Macao (more detailed information available here.
You may find it more convenient to access this travel advice on the Travel Wise Mobile Application which can be downloaded from the Google or Apple Stores here.
In the event of an emergency, our primary means of contacting citizens is through our Citizens’ Register. This Register is separate from the Consulate’s mailing list. I would encourage all citizens living in or travelling to Hong Kong and Macao to register on the website here. Registration can also be done through the Travelwise App.
Curtailment of Consulate Events & Activities
We have met with the Hong Kong Government, are monitoring the updates from the Hong Kong and Macao authorities as well as reviewing the best practice recommendations. Given the impact of SARS in the region, it is not surprising that the authorities in Hong Kong and Macao have moved swiftly to put in place prudent measures to contain the potential spread of the 2019-nCoV, including travel restrictions and the closure of schools.
Just like with other flu related conditions, it is expected that the health risks associated with the 2019-nCoV will diminish at the end of the winter flu season. In the meantime and consistent with measures being taken elsewhere, the Consulate is curtailing its planned events and activities for the month of February and reviewing the situation regarding March. In this regard, I wish to advise:
- The Teacher’s Networking Event planned for Thursday 6 February is being deferred to a later date;
- The First Friday breakfasts gatherings planned for Friday 7 February and for Friday 6 March are being cancelled;
- Meetings of “Ciorcal Comhrá” (Irish language conversation group) will be cancelled in February and March; and
- The Saturday Irish language classes for children at the Consulate will be suspended until schools in Hong Kong officially re-open.
We also anticipate that the programme of activities for St Patrick’s Day will be curtailed and we are currently assessing options.
In relation to customer service access and consistent with best practice, the Consulate will operate an appointments only service for Irish citizens in order to limit the numbers in the waiting area at any given time. If you need an appointment, please email us on hongkong@dfa.ie.
The Consulate continues to provide its normal out-of-hours consular service for genuine emergencies which cannot wait until normal working hours. Contact details can be found here.
Stay Informed
I am conscious that there has been a saturation of coverage of the 2019-nCoV issue both on mainstream media and on social media, which is welcome in raising awareness but, for some, is also giving rise to undue concerns and worry. Family, friends and colleagues on the mainland have been clearly impacted by the spread of the virus and our thoughts are with them. We also commend the many dedicated professionals working round the clock to curtail the spread of the 2019-nCoV.
At this time, therefore, it is crucial to rely on authoritative sources for information on best practice (just because it’s widely shared on social media doesn’t make it factual!). In this regard, the Consulate would strongly advise that you familiarise yourself with the guidance from:
- World Health Organisation (WHO) here
- Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection here
- Macao Health Bureau here
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control here
During previous outbreaks of other coronavirus (e.g. MERS and SARS), human-to-human transmission occurred through droplets, contact and fomites, suggesting that the transmission mode of the 2019-nCoV can be similar. Among the basic principles recommended by the WHO to reduce the general risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections include the following:
- Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections;
- Frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment;
- Avoiding unprotected contact with farm or wild animals; and
- People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands).
The WHO does not recommend any specific health measures for travellers. In case of symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness either during or after travel, travellers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their healthcare provider.
On a final note, with normal routines disrupted over the coming weeks (working from home, reduced socialising opportunities, gyms and other amenities closed, greater reliance on food delivery services, etc.), you may want to consider the unintended consequences on mental health and take proactive measures in this area (for example, get out for walks, keep in touch with friends, etc.). At all times, if you have health concerns, please consult your local health professional.
Best wishes
David Costello