The organisation said the measure should only be used in extreme circumstances and has praised Ireland’s upcoming county-by-county approach of localised measures to curb the spread of the virus.
The new system set to be unveiled by Government next week will see each county in the country rated on a scale of one to five, based on the control it has over the spread of the virus in its community.
The WHO's Special Envoy on Covid-19 Dr David Nabarro has approved the new system: “I love this system that you’re developing in Ireland because you’re really breaking it down to the county level.
“That’s what we’re encouraging everywhere, is local decision-making. And secondly you are developing a graded system, so that if things are bad you can move to level five, but then you’ll be able to come out of it as quickly as possible.”
Lockdown unravelling
It comes as a further 196 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the Republic yesterday evening, with 107 located in Dublin.
Dr Martin Daly, a former president of the Irish Medical Organisation, said the latest figures are very worrying: “It’s of great concern because all of the efforts that we have put in through the lockdown and that seem to be unravelling.
“We really do need to redouble our personal efforts in hand hygiene, physical distancing and the wearing of masks. And I would appeal to people to really take this into account to avoid the worst aspects of lockdown again.”
The 14 day incidence rate of the disease in Dublin is 71 per 100,000 of the population, while in Limerick it is 60 per 100,000.
Dr Colm Henry, a member of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), has said there is no appetite to recommend localised lockdowns in Dublin and Limerick.
He said other methods to reverse the upwards trend of the virus will be looked at first, such as reducing interactions between households.
The cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 met yesterday to discuss potential further restrictions for these counties, with it likely that people living in the regions will be asked to reduce the number of visitors they have to their home.
Pubs in the capital may also not be allowed to reopen alongside the rest of licensed premises around the country on September 21st.
