Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
682. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his officials and representatives from NPHET will accede to the request by a federation (details supplied) for a meeting to discuss its plan to increase the remit of the opening of premises in line with Covid-19 best practice. [24689/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra715. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason part 6 of SI 326 of 2020 relating to relevant events, restricts events being held in hotels to six with the exception of a wedding which allows 50 persons (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being caused to hotels which are at risk of closure or major job losses unless these restrictions are lifted; if it will be ensured such restrictions are lifted in the next round of regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24822/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra753. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason 50 spectators are allowed for an indoor sporting event but dancing classes being held in the same facilities are restricted to pods of six which is not practical for many dancing schools with regard to the Living with Covid-19 plan; if the policy will be reviewed and clarity provided in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24968/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra754. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason it is possible to have a wedding of up to 50 in a function room but other family celebrations being held in the same function room are restricted to pods of six with no intermingling between pods with regard to the Living with Covid-19 plan; the reason a christening and a funeral meal for example could not have 50 with the same restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24969/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra755. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the definition of what is considered a larger venue that would allow 100 persons at an indoor event with regard to the Living with Covid-19 plan; if a venue is considered suitably large if a wedding holding up to 100 in this instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24970/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra760. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if public health advice regarding weddings announced on 15 September 2020 in the plan to deal with Covid-19 will be clarified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25073/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra814. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the new Living with Covid-19 guidelines for weddings indicate 50 persons including the necessary reception and hotel staff or 50 guests of the wedding couple (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25389/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 682, 715, 753 to 755, inclusive, 760 and 814 together.
The Deputy is aware that the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the Government on 15 September This Framework sets out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months.
The plan sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help us all lower COVID-19 transmission and setting out what is permitted at that moment in time. It aims to allow society and businesses to be able to operate as normally as possible, while continuing to suppress the virus. The plan is framed to account for periods which there is low incidence of the disease, with isolated clusters, low community transmission, through to situations where there is high or rapidly increasing incidence, widespread community transmission and the pandemic is escalating rapidly in Ireland and globally. It recognises the need for society and business to be allowed to continue as normally as possible and is designed so that either national or county level restrictions can be applied. Each level outlines what is permitted for social or family gatherings, work and public transport, bars, hotels and restaurants, exercise activities and religious services.
I can assure the Deputy that any measure included at any level in this plan is underpinned by expert advice and recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
As I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, COVID-19 spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. COVID-19 is infectious in a person with no symptoms, or for the period of time before they develop symptoms. For this reason, we are all asked to be extra careful when socialising and working with others. For now, we must act like we have the virus to protect those around us from infection.
The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios in the Government Framework are based on a review of international practice and the judgment of public health experts. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed in so far as possible.
Controlled environments are those where the number of people present and the ways that they interact can be controlled, where there is a recognised organiser, where people are seated and generally remain in that same seat for the event, physical distancing, hand hygiene can be monitored, and contact tracing can be facilitated. For example, a sports club AGM, watching indoor sport, or youth club meetings .
There is more risk associated with people that know each other gathering together than strangers, as it is more difficult to maintain social difference. This is why there are tighter restrictions on social gatherings than on events in controlled environments.
It is advised to socialise safely and within the capacity limits. These various limits in the five Levels are all designed to reduce the number of households mixing with each other and cut down the virus’s chances of spreading into more homes.
The Deputy should note that the numbers should not be considered a target - they are the maximum recommended number. It’s always safer to meet less people, less often, for less time. If we do this, we have a better chance of keeping to the lower Levels in the Framework, and continuing to keep businesses, schools, and healthcare services open, while also protecting the most vulnerable.
Ireland, with the exception of Dublin, is currently at Level 2 of the Plan for living with COVID-19. At Level 2, the majority of the economy and society, including schools, restaurants, pubs and gyms, are open. The priority is to keep schools and childcare facilities open and minimise disruption in the work force. It is intended that the public health measures at this level will be effective until 9th October, 2020.
There are exemptions for weddings and funerals at all Levels. This is due to the particular significance these events have for individuals and society more broadly. Depending on the level of the Plan in place in a county at a given time, the numbers permitted to attend a wedding can be up to 100. Further details on weddings and organised indoor gatherings across the different levels can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/
Dublin is currently at Level 3. At level 3, the priority is to keep schools and early learning and childcare services open and minimise disruption in the work force. This means that a number of services will be moved online and some businesses will be closed (e.g. museums and other indoor cultural venues). Additional restrictions will apply to restaurants and pubs. People will also be required to reduce the number of people they meet to a minimum and stay in their region. Further details on the public health measures applicable to Dublin can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad569-level-3/
The regulations governing the public health measures are set out in S.I. No. 352 of 2020 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 5) Regulations 2020 can be found on the government website which can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/
