In a statement on Monday evening, it was confirmed the Covid-19 public health measures in place in Kildare will be aligned with those in the rest of the country.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin tweeted that the lifting of restrictions was "only possible because of the people of Kildare - their extra effort, their sacrifices and their patience."
Today’s decision to lift the additional Covid restrictions on County Kildare was only possible because of the people of Kildare - their extra effort, their sacrifices and their patience. And it worked. Numbers in Kildare now similar to rest of country. We must all stay vigilant.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 31, 2020
Special restrictions were imposed on the county on August 7th after a spike in Covid-19 cases. The measures were extended for two more weeks on August 21st, despite similar rules being lifted in counties Laois and Offaly.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) met earlier on Monday to review the situation in Kildare and confirmed it is now broadly similar to the rest of the country.
The rolling five-day average of new Covid-19 cases in Kildare was at 10.8 on Friday, which compares to a five-day average of 22.2 cases in Kildare on August 6th.
Seventy-five cases were notified in Kildare last week, compared to 238 cases in the week to August 8th, 170 cases in the week to August 15th, and 159 cases in the week to August 22nd.
The number of cases attributable to community transmission or possible community transmission in Kildare over the past two weeks has been 36 per cent, which is the same nationally.
The statement said: "As the epidemiological situation both nationally and in Kildare are broadly similar, there is no longer a rationale for a differentiated approach between Kildare and the rest of the country.
"The Government recognises the very significant impact of the measures on individuals, communities and businesses in Kildare over the past three weeks, and acknowledges that the improved situation has been due to the willingness of everyone to adhere to the public health guidance and measures implemented.
"While the situation in Kildare has improved, the national situation remains uncertain and the Government continues to stress the importance of adhering to the public health advice and guidance to stop the spread of the virus."
Earlier, local Fianna Fáil councillor Robert Power had confirmed the news on his Facebook account.
The State's acting chief medical officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, said he wanted to recognise “the very significant impact of the measures on individuals, communities and businesses in Kildare over the past three weeks.”
He added: “At a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team today, NPHET thanked people in Kildare – and in Laois and Offaly previously – for their forbearance and noted that their actions are a demonstration, and a further reminder, of what can be achieved through collective action as we continue to strike a balance between living our lives and behaving in a way that protects one another.”
The lifting of the restrictions was welcomed by local business representatives.
Allan Shine, chief executive of Kildare Chamber, said businesses in the county were "very happy to get back to some kind of normality", but that it could be some time before firms recover from the impact of the lockdown, with "a few tough months ahead".
