Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
826. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will review current restrictions which only allow for five children to receive dance lessons in large scale auditoriums, halls (details supplied); if the restriction will be amended if a county reverts to Stage 1 of the new Covid-19 Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25439/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraYou will be aware that the situation regarding COVID-19 has been, and continues to be, an evolving situation. COVID-19 is still having a major impact both here in Ireland and elsewhere.
On Tuesday 15 September the Government published ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’. This new Plan outlines our medium-term strategy for COVID-19 and sets out a Framework of 5 Levels which outline the broad measures which will apply depending on the level of the virus at any given time. It will be possible for different regions and counties to be at different levels, depending on the incidence of the virus in each particular region or county. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus.
The framework reflects a careful consideration of the impact of the introduction of restrictions on employment and livelihoods, keeping as many businesses open as possible at different stages, while acknowledging that some businesses and services are critical. The Plan acknowledges that sports, arts and other social activities are central to our well-being and that sports and arts are also the world of work for our many in our communities.
According to this Framework, under Level 2 of restrictions, indoor dance classes, training and exercise can take place in pods of up to 6 people. This means there can be 30 people in one class provided there is space available to ensure social distancing and provided they are in pods of 6 people.
Under Levels 3, 4 and 5 indoor training is only permitted on an individual basis, therefore exercise and dance classes cannot take place.
Under Level 1 of the Framework, there is no specific capacity limit, with capacity guided by what can be accommodated safely in the venue while ensuring all protective measures are in place, including social distancing.
The Plan is clear that sectoral guidance also applies and in the above case guidance from Sport Ireland should also be considered: www.sportireland.ie/news/sport-ireland-issues-practical-guidance-for-sport-on-covid-19-measures.
