Ivana Bacik
Question:691. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the resumption of indoor choir rehearsals. [43693/21]
View answerWednesday, 15 September 2021
Questions (691)
Written answers
As outlined in COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting, which was announced by Government on 31 August, from 20 September organised indoor group activities such as choirs, bands and music groups can take place with capacity limits of 100 people (with appropriate protective measures) where all patrons are immune (fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 within previous 6 months). Where patrons have mixed immunity status, pods of up to 6 participants will be permitted with multiple pods permitted once appropriate social distancing can be maintained.
Based on the criteria of at or close to 90% of people 16 or over being fully vaccinated and having regard to the incidence and behaviour of the disease at that time, from 22 October onwards, restrictions will be lifted including restrictions on indoor leisure and community activities.
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/