Measures to help Travellers living in caravans to self-isolate

Louise Walsh
Measures are being taken to ensure that Travellers sharing caravans with large families will be given accommodation to self-isolate if needed.
Manager of the Meath Travellers Workshop Michael McDonagh admitted that social distancing was proving hard for Traveller families whose whole ethos is one of sharing and staying together.

The highly-respected elder says that social distancing, self-isolating and depression were all issues which were being tackled by the Travellers Workshop with the support of Meath Co Council.
Mums of ten new babies in the community in Navan were also finding it more difficult without the usual support from families, he said.
“Travellers tend to be more prone to chest infections and respiratory ailments and this is a huge concern for us but thankfully at present I'm not aware of anyone who is presenting with symptoms of Covid-19,” he said.

Michael McDonagh

“If someone is told to self-isolate in a household where there may be two or three families together or in a caravan, that is a huge issue which we are tackling at the minute with Meath Co Council to find them separate accommodation if needed.
“The help and advice we have received from other community groups in Meath has been second to none.
“Traveller families usually rally around a new baby and help the mums rear the child but this is not possible at present so it is tough on ten mums who have just had babies in Navan alone.”

Mr McDonagh is appealing to Travellers in Meath and across the country to stay away from each other to save lives.
“This is a horrible time and it's important for Travellers, who are very family orientated to stay away from each other and pay heed to what's being said by the medical profession.
“There are a lot of older Travellers out there who are finding this tough after spending their lifetime in the thick of families. They are afraid and need support right now.

“Help and support from a distance can be the difference between life and death among the Travelling community. This is not a rehearsal, it's the real deal.
“Families that do everything together are now being asked to stay apart and I'd ask them to be mindful of the high statistics of depression among Travellers. 
“I know kids are going stone mad stuck inside caravans especially but it's only temporary and if we do this we can all see the other side of it together.”