Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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190. To ask the Minister for Health the consideration being given to the way in which the pub sector will be treated should a further rise in infections occur. [17507/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, Phase 4 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, due to commence on 20 July has been paused and is now planned to start on 10 August 2020, subject to Government approval. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 3 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at .

As part of Phase 4 it is planned that all remaining pubs, bars, and hotel bars may reopen. Given the current evidence of the spread of infection associated with social gatherings, the reopening of pubs and bars represents an increased risk due to the consumption of alcohol and the challenge that represents when trying to encourage patrons to maintain social distancing and practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) continues to examine all emerging evidence as it arises and on an ongoing basis. NPHET has provided advice to me as Minister relating to concerns about pubs re-opening. The Government decision to delay the start of Phase 4 Reopening was not based on evidence of cases or clusters in pubs or restaurants in this country, as these pubs have not been open for some time. However, the NPHET is aware of significant evidence of such cases and clusters internationally in countries such as South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, the United States and Canada. These outbreaks have all occurred as restrictions were eased. That evidence combined with the data showing the increase in incidence of the transmission of the virus in Ireland and the ages of recently confirmed cases over the past few weeks led to the Government decision, based on NPHET advice, to defer the opening of pubs until at least 10 August.

Pubs and bars operating as restaurants which opened during Phase 3 can remain open once they are fully compliant with the public health guidance. The Deputy may wish to note that that the Return to Work Safely Protocol published by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation provides detailed guidance developed to assist employers and employees in the coming period and is available at .

The Protocol is mandatory, and it applies to all workplaces right across the economy. Specific sectors may need to introduce additional safeguards, but this document sets out the standard set of measures required in every workplace.

The NPHET continues to consider the relevant and appropriate measures that will be necessary to ensure the ongoing response that will be necessary to the ongoing presence of the virus. NPHET continues to monitor and review the epidemiological trends and the impacts of COVID-19 such that any changes in the overall situation will be detected rapidly. This is in order that future advice to Government, and health service measures and responses can be implemented based on the transmission patterns of the disease, the trajectory and velocity of change, and the evolving analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on the population and health system capacity.

NPHET continues to focus on ongoing public health responses, infection prevention and control, surveillance including the prevention and management of outbreaks in different settings including workplaces, residential and other settings, as well as ongoing implementation, monitoring, review and re-calibration of public health measures including regionalised, localised or sector-specific responses, bearing in mind the associated public health risks.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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191. To ask the Minister for Health the additional measures which have been put in place to allow for the enforcement of compulsory wearing of face mask rules on public transport and in shops. [17518/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) continues to examine all emerging evidence as it arises and has provided advice relating to face coverings on an ongoing basis.

NPHET advises the wearing of a non-medical face covering in a number of circumstances which include:

- when on public transport

- when in indoor public areas including retail outlets

- by people visiting the homes of those who are cocooning

- by people who are being visited in their homes by those who are cocooning

- all visitors to residential care facilities and

- in indoor work environments where it is difficult to maintain a two-metre distance

Individual judgement or preference should be used to consider the wearing of face coverings in other environments.

It is important to emphasise that the wearing of face coverings is an additional hygiene measure and should not take the place of good hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and other personal protective public health measures. Face coverings should be used properly, in line with the guidance and hands should be washed before putting them on and taking them off.

On 15 June, the Government and the National Transport Authority launched a national communications campaign which outlines best practice for the use of face coverings in retail outlets, on public transport and in other public locations in which it is difficult to maintain social distancing or where this distance cannot be guaranteed, and are communicating to the public about:

- who should wear face coverings

- in what settings, and how to wear and remove face coverings correctly.

Guidance on how to make and safely use face coverings is available on gov.ie/facecoverings and the HSE website.

As the Deputy is aware, on Friday 10 July 2020, having consulted with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister for Justice and Equality, I signed the Health Act (Covid-19) (Face Coverings on Public Transport) Regulations 2020. The regulations provide that, from 13 July 2020, members of the public shall not, without reasonable excuse, travel by public transport without wearing a face covering.

Reasonable excuse includes where a person:

- cannot put one on, wear or remove a face covering because of any physical or mental illness, impairment or disability or without severe distress

- needs to communicate with another person who has difficulties communicating

- removes the face covering to provide emergency assistance or to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person

- removes the face covering to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury

- removes the face covering to take medication

The Regulations do not apply to children under the age of 13 years. It is a matter for the person using the transport service to demonstrate that they have a reasonable excuse.

The Government has now also agreed to the mandatory wearing of face coverings in retail outlets, shops and shopping centres. Retail staff will also be obliged to wear a face covering unless there is a partition between them and members of the public or where there is a distance of 2 metres between them and members of the public. Work on the development of relevant Regulations has commenced and it is likely that similar “reasonable excuse“ provisions will apply.

As I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, the evidence relating to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the discussion around face coverings, masks and shields is constantly evolving. I can assure you that the public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the NPHET. The Expert Advisory Group (EAG) of the NPHET has also been proactively examining all relevant evidence relating to the virus and the issue of face coverings. The EAG has requested the Health Information and Quality Authority to prepare a revised and updated evidence synthesis on face coverings and I have been informed that this paper is expected to be finalised shortly.

The latest public health advice on face coverings is available at the following links and is updated on a regular basis:

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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192. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for a downloadable face covering exemption card such as is available in the United Kingdom (details supplied) for persons who are exempt on medical and other grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17585/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department appreciates the challenges experienced by those with medical difficulties. I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I have asked my officials to examine the matter further.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) continues to examine all emerging evidence as it arises and has provided advice relating to face coverings on an ongoing basis. NPHET advises the wearing of a non-medical face covering in a number of circumstances which include:

- when on public transport

- when in indoor public areas including retail outlets

- by people visiting the homes of those who are cocooning

- by people who are being visited in their homes by those who are cocooning

- all visitors to residential care facilities and in indoor work environments where it is difficult to maintain a two-metre distance

Individual judgement or preference should be used to consider the wearing of face coverings in other environments.

It is important to emphasise that the wearing of face coverings is an additional hygiene measure and should not take the place of good hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and other personal protective public health measures. Face coverings should be used properly, in line with the guidance and hands should be washed before putting them on and taking them off.

On the 15th June, the Government and the National Transport Authority launched a national communications campaign which outlines best practice for the use of face coverings in retail outlets, on public transport and in other public locations in which it is difficult to maintain social distancing or where this distance cannot be guaranteed, and are communicating to the public about:

- who should wear face coverings

- in what settings, and how to wear and remove face coverings correctly.

Guidance on how to make and safely use face coverings is available on gov.ie/facecoverings and the HSE website.

As the Deputy is aware, on Friday 10 July 2020, having consulted with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister for Justice and Equality, I signed the Health Act (Covid-19) (Face Coverings on Public Transport) Regulations 2020. The regulations provide that, from 13 July 2020, members of the public shall not, without reasonable excuse, travel by public transport without wearing a face covering.

Reasonable excuse includes where a person:

- cannot put one on, wear or remove a face covering because of any physical or mental illness, impairment or disability or without severe distress

- needs to communicate with another person who has difficulties communicating

- removes the face covering to provide emergency assistance or to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person

- removes the face covering to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury

- removes the face covering to take medication

The Regulations do not apply to children under the age of 13 years. It is a matter for the person using the transport service to demonstrate that they have a reasonable excuse. I have no current plans to establish a scheme such as that described in the question. It is a matter for transport operators to consider how best to implement the Regulations and to consider how to do so in a way that is fair and proportionate to all public transport users.

The Government has now also agreed to the mandatory wearing of face coverings in retail outlets, shops and shopping centres. Retail staff will also be obliged to wear a face covering unless there is a partition between them and members of the public or where there is a distance of 2 metres between them and members of the public. Work on the development of relevant Regulations has commenced and it is likely that similar "reasonable excuse" provisions will apply.

As I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, the evidence relating to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the discussion around face coverings, masks and shields is constantly evolving. I can assure you that the public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the NPHET. The Expert Advisory Group (EAG) of the NPHET has also been proactively examining all relevant evidence relating to the virus and the issue of face coverings. The EAG has requested the Health Information and Quality Authority to prepare a revised and updated evidence synthesis on face coverings and I have been informed that this paper is expected to be finalised shortly.

The latest public health advice on face coverings is available at the following links and is updated on a regular basis:

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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193. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied). [17453/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the extremely medically vulnerable along with those over 70 are at a very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and are advised to follow cocooning measures in order to keep themselves safe. However, it is important that people who are cocooning feel empowered to exercise their own judgement regarding the extent to which they consider the cocooning guidance is appropriate to their individual circumstances.

Practical guidance and information concerning high risk groups and those cocooning is available from the Government and the HSE at the following links:

I would also like to draw the Deputy's attention to the “Return to Work Safely Protocol - COVID-19 Specific National Protocol for Employers and Workers” which was published on 9 May, 2020. It provides clear guidance to employers and to workers on the measures that must be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Protocol was developed through the cooperation of the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the HSE and my Department. This Protocol is mandatory, and it applies to all workplaces right across the economy. Specific sectors may need to introduce additional safeguards, but this document sets the standard set of measures to provide protection against the threat of COVID-19.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is tasked with providing advice and support to employers and employees on what and how COVID-19 measures are applied in the workplace. If you would like any further guidance on the Protocol, the HSA Helpline can be contacted at 1890 289 389 or wcu@hsa.ie.