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Keeping Economy Going As Warrenpoint Port and Community Move Through Covid-19

25th March 2020
File photo of Warrenpont Port, AFLOAT adds were Arklow Shipping general cargo ships meet (today the Arklow Rainbow arrived to the Co. Down port) having crossed the Irish Sea from Garston Port on the estuary of the River Mersey. On the right is the bunker tanker, Mersey Spirit managed by John H. Whitaker (Tankers) Runcorn. AFLOAT over the years as reported regularly when the small ship supplied fuel to diverse vessels throughout the Irish Sea. It is in this sea region that Seatruck Ferries operate as the main and only (ro-ro freight) customer out of Warrenpoint to Heysham. The UK port in Lancashire is where Seatruck also serve a Heysham-Dublin route in addition a Dublin-Liverpool link. File photo of Warrenpont Port, AFLOAT adds were Arklow Shipping general cargo ships meet (today the Arklow Rainbow arrived to the Co. Down port) having crossed the Irish Sea from Garston Port on the estuary of the River Mersey. On the right is the bunker tanker, Mersey Spirit managed by John H. Whitaker (Tankers) Runcorn. AFLOAT over the years as reported regularly when the small ship supplied fuel to diverse vessels throughout the Irish Sea. It is in this sea region that Seatruck Ferries operate as the main and only (ro-ro freight) customer out of Warrenpoint to Heysham. The UK port in Lancashire is where Seatruck also serve a Heysham-Dublin route in addition a Dublin-Liverpool link. Credit: Warrenpoint Harbour Commissioners

In reflecting on the ongoing public health crisis, Warrenpoint Port CEO David Holmes has issued a statement.

“As the second largest port in Northern Ireland, we play a major role as a catalyst for economic growth across the region and the island as a whole.

“That role has rarely been as important than at present as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are committed to promoting the highest levels of health and safety for our staff and their families, customers, and community while also serving the needs of local businesses that rely on us to facilitate the efficient transit of goods, including many of the essential items so vital to wider society at this time.

“In order to ensure port services continue to operate as normal, we are practicing social distancing throughout the harbour estate while staff have changed their working patterns to ensure fewer are on site at any one time.

“We recognise and appreciate the efforts of all port employees for their assistance and commitment to helping us achieve this.

“Additionally, we have increased the provision of hand sanitisation products across the port and introduced other measures that will limit the risk to employees and other harbour users.

“We are mindful that all of us have a duty to contribute to the fight against coronavirus and are pleased to play our part in keeping Northern Ireland and the island as a whole moving in the weeks and months ahead.”

Jehan Ashmore

About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

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Coronavirus (COVID-19): Irish Sailing & Boating

Since restrictions began in March 2020, the Government is preparing for a 'controlled and gradual return to sport' and the 2020 sailing fixtures are being tentatively redrafted by yacht clubs, rowing clubs angling and diving clubs across Ireland as the country enters a new phase in dealing with the Coronavirus. The hope is that a COVID-19 restrictions might be eased by May 5th as Sport Ireland has asked national governing bodies for information on the challenges they face. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.

To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) everyone has been asked to stay at home. But some people may need to do more than this.

You may need to either:

You do these things to stop other people from getting coronavirus.

Read advice for people in at-risk groups

Read advice about cocooning.

Restricted movements

Everybody in Ireland has been asked to stay at home. You should only go out for a few reasons, such as shopping for food.

But you need to restrict your movements further if you: 

  • live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus, but you feel well
  • are a close contact of a confirmed case of coronavirus
  • have returned to Ireland from another country

You need to restrict your movements for at least 14 days.

But if the person you live with has had a test and it is negative, you don't need to wait 14 days. You should still follow the advice for everyone - stay at home as much as possible.

Close contact

This is only a guide but close contact can mean:

  • spending more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact within 2 metres of an infected person
  • living in the same house or shared accommodation as an infected person

How to restrict your movements 

Follow the advice for everybody - stay at home.