Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:190. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the consideration being given to the way in which the pub sector will be treated should a further rise in infections occur. [17507/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 22 July 2020
Ceisteanna (190)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, Phase 4 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, due to commence on 20 July has been paused and is now planned to start on 10 August 2020, subject to Government approval. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 3 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d06271-easing-the-covid-19-restrictions-on-29-june-phase-3/.
As part of Phase 4 it is planned that all remaining pubs, bars, and hotel bars may reopen. Given the current evidence of the spread of infection associated with social gatherings, the reopening of pubs and bars represents an increased risk due to the consumption of alcohol and the challenge that represents when trying to encourage patrons to maintain social distancing and practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) continues to examine all emerging evidence as it arises and on an ongoing basis. NPHET has provided advice to me as Minister relating to concerns about pubs re-opening. The Government decision to delay the start of Phase 4 Reopening was not based on evidence of cases or clusters in pubs or restaurants in this country, as these pubs have not been open for some time. However, the NPHET is aware of significant evidence of such cases and clusters internationally in countries such as South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, the United States and Canada. These outbreaks have all occurred as restrictions were eased. That evidence combined with the data showing the increase in incidence of the transmission of the virus in Ireland and the ages of recently confirmed cases over the past few weeks led to the Government decision, based on NPHET advice, to defer the opening of pubs until at least 10 August.
Pubs and bars operating as restaurants which opened during Phase 3 can remain open once they are fully compliant with the public health guidance. The Deputy may wish to note that that the Return to Work Safely Protocol published by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation provides detailed guidance developed to assist employers and employees in the coming period and is available at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Return-to-Work-Safely-Protocol.html.
The Protocol is mandatory, and it applies to all workplaces right across the economy. Specific sectors may need to introduce additional safeguards, but this document sets out the standard set of measures required in every workplace.
The NPHET continues to consider the relevant and appropriate measures that will be necessary to ensure the ongoing response that will be necessary to the ongoing presence of the virus. NPHET continues to monitor and review the epidemiological trends and the impacts of COVID-19 such that any changes in the overall situation will be detected rapidly. This is in order that future advice to Government, and health service measures and responses can be implemented based on the transmission patterns of the disease, the trajectory and velocity of change, and the evolving analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on the population and health system capacity.
NPHET continues to focus on ongoing public health responses, infection prevention and control, surveillance including the prevention and management of outbreaks in different settings including workplaces, residential and other settings, as well as ongoing implementation, monitoring, review and re-calibration of public health measures including regionalised, localised or sector-specific responses, bearing in mind the associated public health risks.