Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Government deferred the move to Phase 4 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business to Monday, 10 August 2020, subject to improvements in the health indicators identified in the Framework for Future Decision-Making described in the Roadmap. Phase 4 was to see the easing of the current restrictions in place as they apply to pubs, bars, and nightclubs and casinos. Information and advice about the current restrictions under Phase 3 and the measures that remain in place are available on the Government website at .

At present there are no plans to provide further specific guidance in relation to non-food serving pubs. However, I have asked my officials to consider whether such guidelines should be developed.

Comprehensive public health advice has been published by my Department and available at , by the HSE available at www.hse.ie and by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), published at . In particular, the HPSC has published considerable guidance for the effective suppression of the spread of COVID-19 disease in various environments. The Deputy may wish to refer in particular to the HPSC COVID-19: Guidance for Food Service Businesses which provide guidance for business owners in the hospitality sector at the following link:

The Deputy may also wish to note that Fáilte Ireland has published guidelines for the reopening of public houses which is available at the following link: . This draws heavily on the guidance of the HPSC.

The “Return to Work Safely Protocol - COVID-19 Specific National Protocol for Employers and Workers” 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. It is designed to be used by all workplaces to adapt their procedures and practices to provide protection against the threat of COVID-19.

Furthermore, 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.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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208. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding Covid-19 clusters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17512/20]

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.

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.

The Deputy may wish to note that pubs and bars operating as restaurants which opened during Phase 3 can remain open once they are fully compliant with the public health guidance.