The best-known sportsman in the country of Ireland said he “knows a good fight” when he sees one and is demanding Irish politicians to lock down the nation to help fight against the spread of COVID-19.
In a video released on Tuesday afternoon, mixed martial artist Conor McGregor called on Irish President Michael Higgins to shutter businesses and travel temporarily amid the pandemic.
“While we are all currently debating a full lockdown, I feel that we must,” McGregor said. “True lockdown must begin, and it must begin now. A lockdown together, a lockdown united. We must close our airports. We must close all nonessential business. We must cut all nonessential travel.
“It is time for a full lockdown, and we are ready,” he continued. “I pray that we can make this happen.”
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McGregor said not enough Irish people are adhering to social distancing guidelines implemented in heavily affected areas around the globe and that the Irish government needs to act quickly to keep the virus from spreading throughout the country.
“These methods are stringent but necessary,” added McGregor. “Ireland, we’ve got this — not only do we have the formula, we have it ahead of time. Let’s go, Ireland! Let’s go, rest of the world! A lockdown united, together we stand. God bless us all.”
While worldwide COVID-19 cases are approaching 400,000, Ireland has seen just over 1,100 of those. Five people in the country have died from the illness, and six have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University.
