The measures currently in place in relation to indoor sport venues take the form of advisory guidance, rather than specific legislative provisions. This position reflects an evolution of the Government's approach, outlined in its plan COVID-19: REFRAMING THE CHALLENGE, CONTINUING OUR RECOVERY AND RECONNECTING, involving a shift in public health management of COVID-19 in Ireland as it transitions from a focus on regulation and population-wide restrictions to an emphasis on public health advice and personal judgement and personal protective behaviours. This movement away from regulations and population-level restrictions is only possible if individuals, organisations and communities ensure that there is adherence to best practice in infection preventions and control, like observing good respiratory and hand hygiene, wearing a face covering in crowded and congregated settings and staying home and self-isolating when symptomatic.
At its meeting on 19 October 2021, and following consideration of the public health advice, Government agreed that additional aspects of society could reopen only with the full range of protective measures in place. As such, current restrictions under the Government’s plan state that organisers of indoor and outdoor group activities should ensure that appropriate protective measures are in place. For indoor sports, this means:
- The use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate (vaccine or recovery certificate) will be required for accessing indoor sporting activities and events.
- Where individuals have mixed immunity status, pods of up to 6 participants will be permitted (excluding adult coaches/instructors).
- Multiple pods will be permissible subject to protective measures.
- The overall number of pods will have regard to the size of venue and there should be substantial social distance between individual pods.
- For Vaccinated individuals no fixed capacity limits apply to these activities.
- Vaccinated spectators attending indoor sporting events should be fully seated.
Sport Ireland has been in regular communication with the National Governing Bodies of sport about safeguarding concerns through the pandemic. To this end Sport Ireland have devised a Safeguarding & Wellbeing advisory note for sporting organisations. This advisory note seeks to provide support and guidance to sporting organisations who are adapting their engagement with children and young people during Covid-19. It is available below:
www.sportireland.ie/ethics/news/safeguarding-wellbeing-considerations-during-covid-19.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that Government recently agreed to widen the range of sporting opportunities for young people which enables under 18 indoor sports games and competitions in sports such as basketball to go ahead. On foot of this, updated guidance has been provided by Sport Ireland to sporting organisations to allow children under 18 years of age to participate in indoor games and competition activities according to the ordinary rules and limits of the sport concerned. The full guidance can be accessed on the Sport Ireland website at: www.sportireland.ie/covid19/return-to-sport-and-physical-activity.
