Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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695. To ask the Minister for Health if direction and guidance will be given to restaurants on procedures and protocols to be followed on reopening; if consideration will be given to reducing the social distance requirement to one metre in the case of restaurants and similar businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9347/20]

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.

With regard to social distancing, 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.  

In general, with the exception of public health advice, the responsibility for providing guidance in relation to a particular sector of our economy or on a specific activity remains with the Government Department with responsibility for that sector or activity. In relation to restaurants and other food related businesses, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has prepared specific advice which is available on its website at .

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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696. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to allow family members to visit and spend some time with persons receiving end-of-life care in hospitals and hospices; and the timeframe for same. [9352/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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While visiting restrictions are required in the context of a pandemic situation, national guidance issued by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and available on the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) website advocates a compassionate and practical approach in relation to visiting by friends and family, particularly in the context of the care of the dying.

A guidance document on Infection Prevention and Control Precautions for Possible or Confirmed COVID-19 in a Pandemic Setting was published on 8 May 2020. It notes that while visiting restrictions will be required in a pandemic, local risk assessment and practical management must be considered, ensuring the response is both pragmatic and proportionate. Specific scenarios where a compassionate and practical approach is required include care of the dying.

Interim Public Health and Infection Prevention Control Guidelines on the Prevention and Management of COVID-19 Cases and Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities published by the HSE on 4 May 2020 state that all but essential visiting by family and friends is suspended in the interests of protecting residents at this time. However, the Guidelines also acknowledge that a compassionate, pragmatic and proportionate approach is required in the care of those who are dying. The presence of a person close to the resident should be facilitated in so far as it is possible, and they should be aware of the potential infection risk. Both guidance documents note the need for hand and respiratory hygiene and for the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when required. 

The Taoiseach recently announced a Roadmap for the future easing of restrictions on a phased basis. Phase 3, from 29 June, will see the commencement of a phased approach to visiting at hospitals, residential healthcare centres and other residential settings bearing in mind the particular features of types of settings and each individual centre, also considering PPE availability and other protections. 

The HPSC is developing guidance on the easing of visiting restrictions and this will be discussed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) at the appropriate time. Careful consideration is being given to balance the risk of disease against providing opportunities for loved ones to come together.