Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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2389. To ask the Minister for Health if suppliers such as photographers, videographers and so on are included in the total number of persons allowed to attend a wedding as part of the Covid-19 restrictions in place since 5 July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37662/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, on 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead.

While significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme, the rapidly increasing prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant, and the significant risk this poses, in particular to those who are not yet fully vaccinated, meant that a number of higher risk indoor activities did not recommence as planned on 5 July, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity status.

Disease incidence has increased rapidly in recent weeks, especially among those who are not yet fully protected through vaccination and the outlook for the coming weeks is very uncertain.

Suppliers such as photographers and videographers are permitted at weddings and are not included in the guest capacity limit of 50. Further detail of guidelines in place for weddings is available online: failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Hotels-and-Guesthouses.pdf

Significant and sustained progress has been made on suppressing the virus over recent months due to the huge effort of people across the country. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. To protect the gains of recent months we must continue to practice basic preventative behaviours and to follow public health guidelines.