Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2020

Thursday, 22 October 2020

Ceisteanna (162)

John Paul Phelan

Ceist:

162. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if such legislation in relation to further legislative proposals to limit the general movements of the population owing to the current Covid-19 pandemic takes into account the essential movements which will be required by those that live in or adjacent to urban areas that cross county boundaries for essential services in healthcare and education and that such movements will not be prohibited by law and therefore subject to possible sanction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32189/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

On Monday 19 October, the Government made a decision to move to Level 5 of the ‘Plan for Living with Covid’ for six weeks from midnight on Wednesday 21 October 2020. From that date, movement is only permitted within 5km of a person's place of residence unless there is a reasonable excuse. The non-exhaustive list of reasonable excuses includes the case of children travelling to school for educational purposes, needing to seek essential medical, health or dental assistance for the person, and persons who are deemed essential workers, and who are travelling to their workplace, and who cannot work from their place of residence.