Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
1056. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will make available the public health data underpinning the continued closure of large indoor activity, leisure and exercise centres in excess of 500 sq. m; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41680/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres reopened on 7 June for individual training. Swimming lessons and classes were also permitted to take place.As outlined in COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting, which was published by Government on 31 August, organised indoor group activities including sports and dance classes can take place from 20 September with capacity limits of 100 people where all patrons are immune (vaccinated or recovered) or accompanied minors. Where patrons have mixed immunity status, pods of up to 6 participants will be permitted with multiple pods permitted subject to appropriate social distancing being maintained. These arrangements are also applicable to leisure facilities (including bowling, snooker halls, indoor play centres amusement arcades) where patrons have defined areas which are pre-booked.Based on the criteria of at or close to 90% of people 16 or over being fully vaccinated in the coming weeks and having regard to the incidence and behaviour of the disease at that time, from 22 October onwards, remaining restrictions on indoor sports activities and other indoor leisure/community activities will be lifted. Since the onset of the pandemic, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland due to the huge effort of people across the country. Thanks to the hard work of the Irish people and the progress of our vaccination programme, we are now entering a new phase in the management of the pandemic. As our approach to the management of COVID-19 transitions from population wide restrictions to guidance we must continue to practice basic preventative behaviours, including in relation to self-isolation and restricting movements when advised, observing good respiratory and hand hygiene, physical distancing and mask wearing when appropriate.
COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting can be found online: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/f5291-post-cabinet-statement-covid-19-reframing-the-challenge-continuing-our-recovery-and-reconnecting/
