Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
859. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if advice was provided to healthcare workers and-or patients that they should not use commercial launderettes or dry cleaners during any stage of the Covid-19 pandemic; the scientific basis of such advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14473/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra860. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if Covid-19 specific advice, guidance or standards were provided to commercial launderettes or dry cleaners; if so, if he will provide copy of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14474/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 859 and 860 together.
My Department did not issue advice to healthcare workers or patients as to the use or otherwise of commercial launderettes or dry cleaners over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic nor am I aware of any such advice having been issued by the HSE. I have referred the Deputy's question on this matter to the HSE for their response and direct reply.
Furthermore, I have no function with regard to issuing specific advice or guidance to commercial launderettes or drycleaners. Specific guidance in relation to a business activity in a particular sector of the economy is a matter for the Government Department with responsibility for that sector.
A range of information was provided by the Health Service Executive and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre as guidance for the effective suppression of the spread of COVID-19 disease in various environments. The first two document links below refer to Public Health Information Booklets and provide advice in relation to laundering clothes.
The third document, "Acute Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Precautions for Possible or Confirmed COVID-19 in a Pandemic Setting" provides guidance and information on infection prevention and control procedures to manage COVID-19 in the acute healthcare setting including hand hygiene when handling laundry along with the safe management of linen.
The final link below will direct you to all COVID-19 guidance documents for healthcare and non-healthcare settings.
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/partner-resources/covid-19-information-booklet.pdf
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/partner-resources/covid-19-information-booklet.pdf
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/Infection%20Prevention%20and%20Control%20Precautions%20for%20Acute%20Settings%20-COVID-19.pdf
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/
