Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 December 2020
207. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which physical attendance will be facilitated for buyers at marts upon the end of the current level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40696/20]
View answerSince the beginning of the Covid19 global pandemic, my Department has worked intensively, in cooperation with marts representative organisations, to ensure that marts may remain in operation. My Department has adapted the conditions under which marts must operate since April, to reflect the various measures introduced by the Government to stop the spread of this disease.
The Taoiseach announced that from Tuesday 1st December, the country will operate under Level 3 restrictions. For marts, this means a return to conditions under which they operated in October. My Department wrote to the marts and marts representative organisations on Monday, 30th November, advising them of these changes.
These conditions include mandatory face coverings for all staff and visitors, physical distancing throughout the mart and cleaning and hand hygiene arrangements. Buyers can attend the sales ring subject to adhering to 2 metre social distancing, and can view stock in the pens without prior appointment subject to maintaining a minimum social distance of 2 meters.
