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For Oral Answer on : 11/11/2021
Question Number(s): 160 Question Reference(s): 54987/21
Department: Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Tourism; Culture; Arts; Gaeltacht; Sport and Media the operational guidelines currently in place for hospitality and live entertainment venues; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
Up-to-date operational guidelines for a range of tourism and hospitality businesses are available on the Fáilte Ireland website (https://covid19.failteireland.ie/operational-guidelines/). Guidelines for the live entertainment and nightclub sector have recently been published by my Department and can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/updated-guidelines-for-nightlife-and-live-entertainment-sector/. These guidelines are designed to assist businesses to reopen and operate safely through the ongoing pandemic, in line with relevant Government public health advice and related Regulations.
In light of the epidemiological situation which has emerged over the last number of weeks, it is imperative that we carefully manage reopening. Government’s aim is to allow as many businesses as possible reopen and continue operating in the safest possible way. This is why we need regulations and robust guidance to assist businesses to reopen safely and, importantly, to stay open. Central to all sectoral guidelines is a commitment to adhering to appropriate infection prevention control measures, which are necessary to protect individuals and society, as well as supporting our continued progress towards a full return to operation of various sectors. Compliance with these measures should not be considered best practice but, rather, the minimum standard required to protect our communities.
I acknowledge that the ongoing public health restrictions continue to be challenging for relevant businesses. However, with COVID-19 still circulating in our communities and particularly in light of the epidemiological situation that has emerged over recent weeks, it is imperative that we carefully manage reopening and continuing business operations. Accordingly it is important that we continue to adhere to COVID-19-related guidelines and public health advice in order to minimise opportunities for the transmission of the virus.
