Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2020
203. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department will give advice to those operating activities within a controlled environment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41031/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Framework for Restrictive Measures is a risk management strategy designed to allow individuals, families, businesses and services to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures Government might introduce to escalation of the transmission of Covid-19. Each level of the framework contains a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering risk of transmission in alignment with the risk level at that time. The set of measures, individually, do not comprise a list of activities or places which are equally safe. Instead, they are “baskets” of measures which are informed by public health understanding of the disease and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.
The priority in level 3 is to keep health services, schools and early learning and childcare services open and minimise disruption in the work force. In order to keep people safe the public are asked to reduce the number of people they meet to a minimum and stay in their own county, until December 18th.
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.9) Regulations 2020, give effect to the current Level 3 provisions. These regulations make specific provisions around dance classes, which like all exercise classes, are suspended at this level. There is, however, provision for individual and one-to-one instruction for dance at this level, which applies to sport, exercise and dance. While dance studios are closed at Level 3, they can provide facilities for use in individual dance practice or dance training.
In terms of the performing arts such as dance it should be noted that the Arts Council is in the process of preparing guidance on individual dance practice/training which will be available shortly. In the meantime, the Sport Ireland published guidance for individual training which may be used. This can be accessed at this link: www.sportireland.ie/covid19/individual-and-indoor-training).
