Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
473. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding plans to allow persons over 70 years of age who are deemed medically fit for work to be allowed to return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8104/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment policy is to protect those over 70 years and those extremely medically vulnerable by minimising interaction between them and others. This means that those who are over 70 years of age and those extremely medically vulnerable have been advised to stay at home and within their homes and to minimise all non-essential contact with other members of their household who are not cocooning themselves. This policy is being implemented to protect those who are at very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 from coming into contact with the virus.
The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business sets out five stages for unlocking the restrictions put in place to contain the Coronavirus, at three week intervals. The Roadmap sets out how we can keep the level of transmission of COVID-19 as low as possible while balancing continuing restrictions in proportion with the positive social and economic benefits which will be brought about by businesses reopening.
On 15th May the Government announced that we would move to Phase 1 of the Roadmap from Monday May 18th. This is in line with advice received from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). The community health measures that have been relaxed together with the categories of workers, list of retailers and other facilities that can reopen under Phase 1 are available on the Government’s website gov.ie.
It is important to note that all decisions taken by Government on the timing of any lifting of restrictions as envisaged in Phases 2 to 5 of the Roadmap will be guided by the public health advice at the time.
