Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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591. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to cases by which a shoe and clothing repair store which as outlined in the Roadmap on Reopening Society and Business is allowed reopen in phase 2, in view of the fact it is a small commercial outlet but the store is located within a shopping centre, which is set to reopen in stage 5; his views on such cases; and if clarity will be provided for business owners in similar situations as to the legality of when they are allowed reopen. [8684/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:

1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:

a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,

b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,

c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,

d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,

e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.

2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.

3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.

4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.

As is clear from the framework, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.

Guidance in relation to business activities in specific sectors of the economy should in the first instance be sought from the Government Department with responsibility for that sector.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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592. To ask the Minister for Health if reference was made to the international aviation advice on air travel when introducing 14-day quarantine guidance; the way in which this compares with other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8721/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On 20 May, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published joint guidelines on health safety in air travel (Covid-19 Avition Safety Protocol).

The ECDC/EASA guidelines provide clarity on how to minimise the risk of transmission during a journey. The guidlines are most welcome, given that a significant risk  associated with international travel is the drawing together of people into congregated settings, including in airports and on aircraft.

Our pre-existing public health advice for passengers to self-isolate during the 14 days after they arrive into the State is not limited to addressing only the risk of transmission during periods of travel, but addresses the broader risk of imported cases of the disease.

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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593. To ask the Minister for Health if the social distancing measures currently in place and which demand a distance of two metres to be kept from all persons is now under consideration to be reduced to one metre in line with the advice of the World Health Organisation for the later stages of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business in order to ensure smaller SMEs can reopen in June and July 2020 in a safe manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8723/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:

1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:

a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,

b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,

c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,

d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,

e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.

2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.

3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.

4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.

While the evidence relating to the SARS-CoV-2 virus is evolving, it is clear now that the risks of transmission of any respiratory pathogens such as the type that causes Covid-19 are lessened when greater distance is maintained between people. This evidence is kept under review by the National Public Health Emergency Team on a continuing basis. 

As is clear from the framework, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.

Guidance in relation to specific sectors of the economy should in the first instance be sought from the Government Department with responsibility for that sector.

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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594. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider a tailored awareness campaign for young persons aimed at maintaining adherence to the required social distancing measures and perhaps engaging popular musicians, celebrities or entertainers in the process (details supplied). [8729/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.