On 18 August 2020, the Government announced additional measures in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, including the following for Cultural and social activities:
- they should close by 11.30pm
- all customer facing staff to wear face coverings
- all customers to wear face coverings until seated and again on departure
- they are required to keep contact details to support contact tracing
- all customers to be seated at a table, with no seating allowed at the bar and table service only
- maximum of 6 seated at a table
- no formal or informal events or parties should be organised in these premises
- all tables must have hand sanitiser
These measures will remain in place until 13 September 2020. The Government will prepare a Roadmap for resilience and recovery before that date.
In clarification for the arts sector on Wednesday 19 August, the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht released a statement:
Businesses/services such as cinemas, galleries, theatres etc are deemed to be controlled environments, with appropriate protective measures in place such as physical distancing between people.
These venues can continue to operate under existing limits* where appropriate physical distancing can continue to be maintained. Individual groupings attending these venues must be limited to six people from no more than 3 households.
Similarly outdoor arts events which take place in venues which allow for a controlled environment where social distancing can be ensured can also proceed on the basis of existing limits.
For further assistance, event organisers in the cultural sector can email artsunit@chg.gov.ie with their query and contact number. The Department will respond to your query as promptly as possible.
*Existing Limits: 200 people outdoor / 50 people indoor.
Source: Visual Artists Ireland News
