Matt Carthy
Question:769. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the basis on which decisions relating to the number of guests at weddings will be revisited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12624/21]
View answerWednesday, 10 March 2021
Questions (769, 954)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:954. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the expected number of persons allowed to attend a wedding in June, July and August 2021 taking into account the increase in vaccines and the expected continued decrease of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13430/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 769 and 954 together.
The public health measures in place at any level of the Government's updated plan for managing Covid-19 - COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead 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.
It is not possible to say what public health measures will be in place in the future. The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), by my Department and by the Government . The measures in place and the public health advice have been adapted to the changing circumstances and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.
Details of weddings numbers at each level of the COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead can be found at Appendix 1 under Social and Family Gatherings/Weddings.
Details of the public health measures currently in place for weddings can be found at:- https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/#weddings
Fáilte Ireland has also provided guidelines for the hospitality industry which includes guidance on weddings and is available at: - https://failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Hotels-and-Guesthouses.pdf