Louise O'Reilly
Question:2209. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when dance teachers will be allowed restart operating dance classes from community centres. [36965/21]
View answerTuesday, 27 July 2021
Questions (2209, 2865, 3229)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:2865. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health when restrictions will be eased for indoor dance schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39422/21]
View answer
Neale Richmond
Question:3229. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to safely resume indoor dance classes and similar activities for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40897/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2209, 2865 and 3229 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.
Unfortunately, due to current uncertainties there is not yet an indication of when indoor dance classes will be 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.