Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
2334. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the guidelines that have been issued to community centres in relation to dance classes and drama and variety clubs that wish to use their premises. [37412/21]
View answer3257. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the current guidelines regarding indoor dance classes, group fitness classes and personal training sessions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41099/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2334 and 3257 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, on 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead.
While significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme, the rapidly increasing prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant, and the significant risk this poses, in particular to those who are not yet fully vaccinated, meant that a number of higher risk indoor activities did not recommence as planned on 5 July, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity status.
Disease incidence has increased rapidly in recent weeks, especially among those who are not yet fully protected through vaccination and the outlook for the coming weeks is very uncertain.
Gyms and leisure centres are now open for individual training only.
Unfortunately, due to current uncertainties there is not yet an indication of when indoor dance and drama classes or group fitness classes will be permitted to reopen. Organised indoor events are currently not permitted. The epidemiological situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis and the level of restrictions will be kept under review by Government.
Significant and sustained progress has been made on suppressing the virus over recent months due to the huge effort of people across the country. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. To protect the gains of recent months we must continue to practice basic preventative behaviours and to follow public health guidelines.
