Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 July 2020
207. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when the reopening guidelines for non-food pubs will be published; the reason for the delay in the publication to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17509/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Government deferred the move to Phase 4 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business to Monday, 10 August 2020, subject to improvements in the health indicators identified in the Framework for Future Decision-Making described in the Roadmap. Phase 4 was to see the easing of the current restrictions in place as they apply to pubs, bars, and nightclubs and casinos. Information and advice about the current restrictions under Phase 3 and the measures that remain in place are available on the Government website at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d06271-easing-the-covid-19-restrictions-on-29-june-phase-3/.
At present there are no plans to provide further specific guidance in relation to non-food serving pubs. However, I have asked my officials to consider whether such guidelines should be developed.
Comprehensive public health advice has been published by my Department and available at https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-health, by the HSE available at www.hse.ie and by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), published at https://www.hpsc.ie/. In particular, the HPSC has published considerable guidance for the effective suppression of the spread of COVID-19 disease in various environments. The Deputy may wish to refer in particular to the HPSC COVID-19: Guidance for Food Service Businesses which provide guidance for business owners in the hospitality sector at the following link: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/employersemployeesguidance/
The Deputy may also wish to note that Fáilte Ireland has published guidelines for the reopening of public houses which is available at the following link: https://failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Pubs.pdf. This draws heavily on the guidance of the HPSC.
The “Return to Work Safely Protocol - COVID-19 Specific National Protocol for Employers and Workers” provides clear guidance to employers and to workers on the measures that must be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Protocol was developed through the cooperation of the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the HSE and my Department. It is designed to be used by all workplaces to adapt their procedures and practices to provide protection against the threat of COVID-19.
Furthermore, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is tasked with providing advice and support to employers and employees on what and how COVID-19 measures are applied in the workplace. If you would like any further guidance on the Protocol, the HSA Helpline can be contacted at 1890 289 389 or wcu@hsa.ie.
