Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2021
307. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will issue clear instructions to employers on the definition of the qualification for essential work and essential workers in order to suppress Covid-19 by preventing unnecessary travel, contact and congregation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3472/21]
View answerAs you aware, Ireland is at level 5 of the Government's medium-term Strategy Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. This 5-level framework sets out what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services, at that moment in time.
The public health measures recognise the need to reduce congregation and interactions between people to reduce the transmission of Covid-19. The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios in the plan is based on a review of international practice and the judgment of public health experts. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed in so far as possible. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.
At level 5, people are required to stay at home except for travel for work, education or other essential purposes, and will be permitted to take exercise within 5km of home. Information relating to domestic travel at this time is available on the Government website at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#travel-restrictions.
At level 5 non-essential retail, and all non-essential services must remain closed. Information in relation to the current public health measures in place for essential retail and essential services at level 5 is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/ and www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/.
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (NO. 10) Regulations 2020 Regulation (S.I. 701 of 2020), sets out the relevant businesses or services under the current public health measures. Statutory Instruments related to the Covid-19 pandemic are available here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/.
SI No. 4 of 2021 also provides information on what are essential construction and developments.
