Robert Troy
Ceist:546. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if DIY and hardware stores can remain open under level 4 and 5 restrictions; and if same are considered essential retail. [31195/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 20 October 2020
Ceisteanna (546, 691)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:691. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if outdoor farmers' markets are classified as essential retail under level 4 of the plan for living with Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31462/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 691 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the Government on 15 September, 2020. This Plan provides a framework setting out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months.
The framework 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 is framed to account for periods during which there is a low incidence of the disease, with isolated clusters and low community transmission, through to situations where there is a 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.
The Plan 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. It 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.
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.
Ireland has moved from a short-term emergency response approach to a medium-term approach to managing risk and repairing the damage that COVID-19 has inflicted on society. Further information on the public health measures in currently in place in relation to the different Levels can be found at www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/.
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 7) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 442/2020) set out the list of essential retail outlets for relevant counties at Level 4.
Under these regulations, markets that wholly or principally, offer food for sale are deemed essential.
The regulations also provide that hardware outlets, builders’ merchants and outlets that provide, whether on a retail or wholesale basis, hardware products necessary for home and business maintenance or construction and development, are also deemed essential.
Further information on essential retail outlets is available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/60ecc-essential-retail-outlets-for-level-4/.