Skip to main content
Normal View

Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Questions (558)

Seán Crowe

Question:

558. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his Department has issued guidance on the resumption of dance classes in view of the physical and mental health benefits it provides to its patrons which includes the elderly that may be in need of a resumption of exercise and social interaction following their period of cocooning. [12591/20]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business from Monday, 8 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 2 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at http://www.gov.ie/phase2.

Under Phase 2 you should not travel beyond your county, or 20 kilometres from where you live if crossing county boundaries, to participate in any social, recreational and exercise activities.

The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (SI No. 206 of 2020) which came into operation from 8 June 2020 until 29 June 2020, allows for groups of up to 6 people who are not from the same household to visit another household indoors and up to 15 people who are not from the same household to meet outdoors for social, recreational and exercise activities.

The Deputy may wish to note however that the HSE’s advice available at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/cocooning.html and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) 'Guidance on cocooning to protect people over 70 years and those extremely medically vulnerable from COVID-19' offers practical assistance as we move through a new phase of the roadmap and advises that people who are at very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should continue to protect themselves and stay at home as much as possible to minimise all non-essential contact with people who are not cocooning themselves.

It is also important to note that everyone involved in any social, recreational and exercise activities must adhere to social distancing measures, minimise contact, not share equipment and practice strict hygiene etiquette. A log should be kept of everyone involved for contact tracing purposes.

The Government also agreed to bring forward actions in the remaining phases of the Roadmap and plan for four phases rather than the five originally indicated. Work is underway to consider how best to achieve this aim and more information will be made available in the coming weeks.

Top
Share