The next phase of the HSE’s public information responds to the Government roadmap for re-opening services and activities. Our progress through that re-opening will be informed by how much we continue to follow the public health measures.

This new phase of public health advice will support our move through those coming phases, under the overall theme ‘Stay safe, protect each other, #Hold Firm’. This phase includes ongoing information and guidance on actions that we to take, using all existing channels and adding new advice or messages as required, step by step, starting from this weekend.

· ‘Stay safe – protect each other’ posters now available on www.gov.ie and www.hse.ie and are and being distributed through the HSE, the wider health services, and partner organisations

· ‘Stay Safe – Using our health service’ – new radio campaign with advice on using GP and Emergency services, live from Monday May 11.

· Hold Firm, a TV, radio, and social media campaign that acknowledges the challenges faced by people, supports our health advice, and provides extra motivation to continue.

The overall aim of this phase is to help people to hold firm and keep going with the actions that help us to stay safe and protect each other.

The HSE is running a new campaign called Hold Firm, inspired by the words of President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, written in his 1993 poem, ‘Take Care’. The 60 second TV ad aired for the first time this weekend. The campaign is also on radio and social media.

Speaking about the South East, the Chief Officer of South East Community Healthcare and Chair of the HSE’s Crisis Management Team in the South East Kate Killeen White said:

“We in the HSE continue to work closely with An Gárda Síochána and the local authorities in Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, and Wexford and for the last number of weeks and months, steps have been taken in the South East to flatten the curve, to protect our health service and save lives. These actions have reduced the impact of COVID-19 on the country and our health service. Now we need to motivate and inspire people to keep going with those actions that help us to stay safe and protect each other.”

“Staying away from the people we love and the things we enjoy is not easy. It’s not us. But, this is us – taking care of each other, supporting our colleagues on the frontline and essential services, and the people most at risk in communities all across the country.