Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 July 2021
393. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will ease Covid-19 restrictions in order that third-level university exchange students can undertake their required face-to-face interviews in foreign embassies located in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32794/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, on 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead. While significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme and the position had been broadly stable over the earlier part of June, the prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant is rapidly increasing in Ireland and this poses a significant risk, in particular to those who are not yet fully vaccinated. For this reason, a number of higher risk indoor activities will not recommence as planned on 5 July, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity status.
Embassy operations and visa processing are a matter for relevant country authorities.
Significant and sustained progress has been made on suppressing the virus over recent months due to the huge effort of people across the country. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. To protect the gains of recent months we must continue to practice basic preventative behaviours and to follow public health guidelines.
