A north Mayo GP has called for the imposition of regional overnight curfews to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
Dr Keith Swanick has said a "transient curfew" from 9pm to 6am would help limit social interaction and tackle the rate of infection.
The Belmullet-based doctor said such an initiative has proven effective in high transmission zones in other parts of the world.
He made the call after a surge in the number of people who have contracted the virus in the Belmullet Local Electoral Area (LEA) since Christmas.
Dr Swanick estimates that around one in every 50 people in the area now have the virus.
He has called on the Health Service Executive to ensure all frontline workers in the locality are vaccinated as a matter of urgency. And he said a curfew, lasting a week to 10 days, would assist in driving down case numbers.
The HSE said there has been a steep increase in the number of people who have contracted coronavirus in Mayo since 26 December.
It has joined forces with local gardaí and Mayo County Council to urge people to double down on efforts to counter the spread by staying at home and avoiding all travel, unless absolutely necessary.
HSE’s Director of Public Health in the West Dr Breda Smyth expressed particular concern about the level of transmission in Ballyhaunis, Ballina, Belmullet, Castlebar and Claremorris.
Public car parks at Lough Lannagh, Raheens Wood and Moorehall were closed last night, due to concerns about the number of people congregating at the amenities in question.
