The HSE is continuing to carry out Covid-19 checks, using existing resources and on a risk prioritisation basis. Responsibility for compliance with this legislation rests in the first place with the business operator who must ensure that they are aware of their legal obligations and are fulfilling them. This includes the checking of EU Digital Covid Certificates across the hospitality sector before patrons enter business premises and verifying that the holder in each case is the person to whom the certificate refers.
HSE designated officers have been continuing to support, educate and encourage businesses and the public in the achievement of compliance with this important public health intervention.
The HSE has advised that since the introduction of the indoor dining regulations the following compliance checks have been carried out up to 15 November 2021:
13,538 Compliance Checks Undertaken.
Of these 3,297 were not offering indoor dining facilities and a further 1,640 were not trading at the time of the visit therefore a total of 8,601 compliance checks were completed.
Of those 8601 compliance checks-
- 5,975 (70%) were compliant.
- 327 (4%) were non-compliant.
- 2,299 (26%) required additional compliance measures.
In businesses where additional measures were found to be required, HSE designated COs continue to actively engage and follow-up with business operators to ensure full compliance.
Where persistent non-compliance is observed, formal enforcement action is initiated by the HSE. This has resulted to date in the serving of 21 Directions and 2 Compliance Notices by the HSE and the granting of 1 Emergency Cessation Order by the District Court The latter relates to a business operator in Galway.
