Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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652. To ask the Minister for Health the recourse available to families when a member of the family has symptoms of Covid-19 or has tested positive for Covid-19 but refuses to self-isolate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9093/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 was signed into law by the President on 20th March 2020.

The provisions of the 2020 Act provide (new section 38A of the Health Act 1947, inserted by section 11) for the detention and isolation of persons that a medical officer of health believes, in good faith, to be a potential source of infection with Covid-19 and a potential risk to public health, until such time as the medical officer of health of the HSE certifies that the person’s detention is no longer required. These provisions recognise the evolving circumstances surrounding the spread of the disease; its high degree of infectiousness; the health sector’s obligations to protect human life and public health; and the resources available to the health service (and the challenges that these all pose).

Section 38 of the Health Act 1947 also applies. This section allows for mandatory detention and isolation of persons who are probable sources of infection with Covid-19 and other named infectious diseases specified in the Infectious Diseases Regulations 1981 (as amended). The section requires inspection by a medical officer or medical practitioner prior to detention and isolation.

Anyone with concerns in relation to issues relating to self-isolation of a person suspected or diagnosed as having Covid-19 is advised to contact their relevant HSE Department of Public Health or the Health Surveillance Protection Centre who can advise as to appropriate measures to be taken and ensure appropriate action is taken, where required.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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653. To ask the Minister for Health the protocol in place in a nursing home (details supplied) for the isolation of patients that test positive for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9094/20]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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654. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which the recommended social distance can be reduced to 1.5 metres in line with the European average pending health advice and continuous decreasing rates of transmission. [9113/20]

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.