Campaign launched to ask people to realise the “value of staying close to home”

Cork County Council is taking action to support businesses and communities across Cork County as they reopen for the first time since the COVID-19 crisis began. As part of Project ACT, the Council has launched a campaign to encourage people to “realise the value of staying closer to home”.

The campaign will show how Cork County Council is working hand-in-hand with communities to make it as easy as possible to support the businesses on their doorstep.

Town Teams across Cork have been engaging with local businesses and communities to see how efforts to re-open towns and businesses can be supported. Some €6 million in funding has been committed to the effort, with initial works already underway.

Street cleaning has been ongoing, along with planting and improvement works in towns and villages across County Cork.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Ian Doyle says:

“We have seen tremendous resilience from our local businesses, who were forced to close through no fault of their own when the virus threatened our community. In the first few days, it has been heart-warming to see the public show their support by staying local and shopping local. Project ACT will see an unprecedented level of co-operation between Council staff and local communities, to make it as easy as possible for people to avail of the great businesses that are on their doorstep. The message is clear – let’s realise the value of staying close to home as we all begin this recovery together.”

The Mayor was speaking in his native Charleville, where Council teams have been busy re-planting, decluttering streets and supporting businesses. As in keeping with other parts of Cork County, the local playground has been inspected and re-opened.

Mayor Doyle also inspected designs for the pedestrian crossing and works in the Town Park as well as an initial concept proposal to develop a plaza space in front of Charleville library. Commenting on the proposals, Mayor Doyle noted,

“This is a very exciting project for Charleville and one which clearly demonstrates how Project ACT is activating Cork County. The plaza proposal will improve the connection to Charleville Town Park and provide a natural amphitheatre area which could support a number of library events such as music, plays and storytelling. It will be a wonderful new addition for our local community as well as an attraction for visitors. I would also encourage the people of Charleville to have their say on this project when it is open for public consultation, which will be in the next few weeks. This will be our plaza and together we will create an exciting new focal point for Charleville town.”

All playgrounds and sports equipment are being re-opened across the county. Cork County Council is again reminding the public that:

• Children using a playground must be accompanied and supervised by a parent / guardian at all times.
• Parents/guardians should bring hand sanitiser when visiting a playground and sanitise children’s hands prior to, during and after using playground equipment.

Members of the public are reminded that public health advice continues to apply.  In order to ensure that playgrounds can safely remain open, parents, guardians and those who return to enjoy our playgrounds are asked to continue:

• Ensuring physical distancing between children.
• Reminding children to avoid touching their face, eyes, nose and mouth.
• Asking children under your care to have regard to the safe use of equipment and to the safety of others at all times.
• Adhering to the most up to date public health advice.

Cork County Council will continue its efforts to support businesses and communities as further restrictions being eased in the weeks and months ahead.

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