Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2021
292. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he is considering including the option of providing a record of a negative test within the previous 24 hours as an alternative to proof of vaccination as has recently been approved by the Scottish Parliament (details supplied) for attendance in a premises and venues covered by the domestic Covid-19 certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60887/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 situation in Ireland remains of concern and is delicately balanced. Ireland remains vulnerable to a further deterioration in the disease profile depending on several factors, including levels of social contact in the coming weeks and over the festive period, adherence to basic public health protective measures and levels of immunity across the population. The potential impact of the recently identified Omicron variant remains uncertain at present.
As the Deputy will be aware a COVID-19 pass, based on certification of vaccination or recovery, is required for indoor hospitality, cinemas, theatres, events, gyms, leisure centres (excluding access to swimming pools or standalone swimming pool facilities) and hotel bars and restaurants.
The current high level of COVID-19 infection and the dominance of the significantly more transmissible Delta variant poses a very substantial threat, particularly to those who are not fully protected through vaccination. Public health advice remains that those who are not fully vaccinated or have immunity from infection should avoid congregated indoor settings for their own and others safety.
As the Deputy will be aware, Covid certification arrangements are in place in many countries across the EU. There are a range of different systems in place, including those which require proof of immunity from vaccination or recovery only, similar to the system in Ireland, to others that allow a not detected test result to permit access to facilities. There are also differences in terms of the types of settings that certification is required for.
Government keeps all measures under review on an ongoing basis.
