THE LOCKDOWN restriction Irish people want lifted most when it comes time to review the measures in place is the 2km limit on movement.
A review of the restrictions set out by the government earlier this month is due to take place on May 5.
The findings come from the second phase of the Corona Citizens’ Science Study, a population-wide survey being conducted by researchers from NUI Galway and Dublin City University.
The study is looking at the possible impact the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictive measures associated with it are having on daily life.
According to the research, the current limit on movement is the most unpopular measure in place, with many also growing calls for an end to the restriction on small gatherings.
Of the survey’s 35,000 respondents, approximately half ranked the two kilometre limit on movement as their preferred choice when it came to removing the limits in place.
A further 37%, meanwhile, want to see the limits on small gatherings lifted.
Returning to the workplace was ranked third, while the reopening of schools was fourth on the list.
The reopening of shops, pubs and restaurant, meanwhile, was the fifth most popular option.
Of those surveyed, some 10,830 people admitted to postponing medical treatment or a check-up.
Half of this group said this was because their given healthcare professional was not seeing anyone at that time, while 39% cited a desire to avoid heaping extra pressure on the healthcare system.
Professor Anthony Staines, Professor of Health Systems, DCU and joint lead researcher on the study said: “These results show some of the real impacts of Covid-19 on our health and on our health services.
“Important treatment is being delayed, and there will need to be a clear path to fixing this before queues in our healthcare system become intolerable.
“We also see people beginning to think about life after lock-down, and making realistic suggestions for gradual easing of the restrictions.
“Irish people have made huge sacrifices to bring this disease under some control, which we needed to do before we could move on.”
