Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1278. To ask the Minister for Health if he will request the National Public Health Emergency Team to consider allowing local meetings of a group (details supplied) to take place in cases in which social distancing and other precautionary measures can be taken; if a proposal to allow such meetings to take place can be brought forward following advice from the public health officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21929/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

You will be aware that the situation regarding COVID-19 has been, and continues to be, an evolving situation. COVID-19 is still having a major impact both here in Ireland and elsewhere. The measures in place and the public health advice have been adapted to the changing circumstances and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.

Progress has been made on suppressing the virus due to the huge effort of our citizens. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. We all must continue to do everything possible to avoid the virus spreading.

The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and it provides advice to Government in line with the current epidemiological position. The latest public health advice on these matters is available at the links below and is updated on a regular basis:

The recently introduced regulations [(S.I. 326 of 2020) Health Act 1947 (Section 31a – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020], which state that events being organised indoors may have no more than 6 attendees apply to social, recreational, exercise, cultural, entertainment and community events.

Drug/alcohol support group meetings are not impacted by these restrictions and can continue to operate, subject to adherence to public health guidance relating to physical distancing and other protective measures. Please note the following general guidance:

- Meetings should take place online where possible.

- Where face-to-face meetings are necessary, physical distancing of 2 metres must apply. Meetings should be kept as short as possible.

- Managed and organised arrival and departure processes must be in place.

- Where possible, increase ventilation in the meeting facilities.

- The numbers attending should be kept to an absolute minimum. Capacity will depend on the venue and the ability to physically distance and ensure other protective measures are in place, the overall numbers at any one time within the meeting facility should not exceed 50 people.

- To ensure optimal physical distancing, multiple pods of a maximum of 6 people in each is preferable if sufficient space is available and if it is feasible in the context of the meeting, with no inter-mingling between pods.