Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
89. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the recently announced updated guidelines include the continuation of appointments only for the hair and beauty industry; the way this will be enforced and monitored; the additional guidelines that will be in place for those availing of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52329/21]
View answerA revised Work Safely Protocol was published on the 22nd of October. The Work Safely Protocol supports employers and workers in adapting their workplace procedures and practices to put measures in place, in compliance with the COVID-19 related public health protection measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Protocol is a general document applicable to all sectors. The control measures set out in the revised Work Safely Protocol should remain the key focus for employers, business managers and employees to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in workplaces and to keep our workplaces safe.
Following public health advice, the government has agreed that the following identified public health advice remains in place.
- isolating and getting tested if we have symptoms
- wearing our face coverings where appropriate
- maintaining adequate social distancing whenever appropriate
- covering our coughs and sneezes and keeping our hands clean
- making sure that indoor spaces are well ventilated
The Protocol advices, to facilitate maintaining physical distancing, the use of allocated appointments (page 18). Arising from the publication of the Protocol and the reopening of the hair and beauty sector in 2020, specific guidance was developed by the sector to strengthen those public health measures which include provisions for allocating appointments. The guidelines outline those services should be facilitated by appointment where possible (or else a protocol for dealing with walk in clients should be developed) in line with physical distancing guidelines. The use of an appointment system is clearly advantageous from the perspective of maintaining client contact information and if a business considers it necessary to maintain such a system, then it should continue to do so.
Any worker who has concerns about the implementation of the Work Safely Protocol at their place of work can bring these concerns, in confidence, to the Health and Safety Authority.
