Briefing on the government's response to COVID-19 - Monday 8 June 2020

Delivered by Elizabeth Canavan, Assistant Secretary General, Department of the Taoiseach

Good Morning,

Today we begin a new phase of this journey that we have all been on. Thanks to all of your perseverance we have suppressed the virus to the extent that it is now possible to move on to Phase 2 of our Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.

As the Taoiseach explained on Friday, this has also enabled us to accelerate some parts of the roadmap.

We have only come this far through our collective efforts to suppress the virus and it will only be possible to continue this progress through the Roadmap if we all continue to follow the public health advice.

As we move into Phase 2, I would like to briefly outline what this phase entails:

You can now leave your home, but you are asked to stay local. That means staying within your own county, or travelling no more than 20 kilometres from your home, whichever is greater. These travel limits will be lifted from the end of June, assuming that we are ready to move to Phase 3 then.

You can meet up to 6 friends and family from outside your household either indoors or outdoors but you still need to maintain social distancing.

Organised outdoor exercise, sporting, cultural or social activities of up to 15 people may take place.

Public libraries will commence reopening, playgrounds may open and outdoor summer camps may operate for children.

We are still asking people to use local amenities as much as possible rather than travelling but the main thing when you get there is to remember the public health advice on social distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

All retail stores can reopen, but opening times will be staggered to relieve pressure on public transport. You are encouraged to shop locally, shop safely and support businesses in your community. There is no doubt that shopping will look and feel different. We would also ask that if you are visiting shops that you go prepared for a very different shopping experience – be prepared to queue, limit your time in the shop, take note of the times that are reserved for the older or the medically vulnerable. I would also ask for your patience, particularly when dealing with the staff working in these shops – this is new for everyone but the new procedures are in place to keep everyone safe, be conscious that staff returning to work may be anxious themselves.

You are asked to continue to work from home if it is possible for you to do so. That will help to limit the number of contacts you have and reduce your risk. It will also help to keep pressure off busy public transport which has reduced capacity at the moment because of social distancing. We want to make sure that those working in essential services can get to work. If you are returning to work and you can walk or cycle please do so.

If you are over 70 or medically vulnerable you can do all of the things that everyone else can do. However, it is the case that these groups are more at risk. You should use your own judgement to decide how best to apply the guidance but we are still encouraging you to stay at home as much as you can, maintain social distancing and be extra-vigilant if you are out and about.

Arrangements for funerals have also changed. Everyone knows how upsetting it has been to lose a loved one during this period. Social distancing is still really important for everyone’s safety, even in these circumstances. However, the guidance now provides that up to 25 people will be allowed to attend funeral services and burial/cremation ceremonies of loved ones.

As well as the decision to move to Phase 2, the government announced that some actions from remaining phases are being brought forward. So, instead of the original 5 phased Roadmap, we intend to conclude the Roadmap in 4 phases, which means we have 2 more phases to go.

Assuming all goes well, Phase 3 will start on 29 June, and Phase 4 on 20 July. The government will work out in the days ahead which actions will take place in each, in line with public health guidance.

As the Taoiseach also signalled on Friday, there will be a return to the tourism and hospitality sectors on 29 June as part of the revised Phase 3. This is to support a return to domestic tourism in our country, and the reopening of hotels, restaurants, hostels, caravan parks, galleries and museums from 29 June. We will look at making it possible for bars that also operate as restaurants to reopen.

As many people have said in the last few days, finally, things are looking up, and they are. But there are still a few things we need to remember.

While it is very positive news that the virus is arrested in our community, we must also all be clear that it is not gone. COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease which is transmitted very easily.

As long as it is with us, in order to stay safe, it is up to each one of us to follow the public health guidelines so that we can continue to progress through the Roadmap. With more and more of us out and about, meeting more and more people, now more than ever our personal behaviour will determine how this virus behaves.

So, a reminder of the guidance to:

• maintain social distancing at all times, even when meeting with friends or loved ones
• keep hands clean, washing them regularly and be mindful to avoid unnecessary touching of your face.
• use good cough and sneeze etiquette
• if you are in indoor space where social distancing is difficult, such as in a shop or on public transport, and if you can, wear a face covering
• and remember, if you are using face coverings in these situations or to visit those who are cocooning, wash your hands before and after use and wash face coverings daily. You can get full guidance on this on hse.ie

For the full details of what Phase 2 means for you, visit Item was unpublished or removed

On Friday the government agreed that the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme would be extended until the end of August. This decision was made because it is clear that public health restrictions will likely remain in place for a significant number of businesses and employers for the next number of months and as such there is a continued need to avoid the risk of forcing otherwise viable firms to close.

Over 59,000 employers are now registered with Revenue for the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme.

Over 520,900 employees have now received at least one payment under scheme. This does not include additional employees who may receive a subsidy as a result of payments generated today.

Today (8 June), Revenue has generated further payments to employers under the scheme of €34.2 million.

These payments will be in the bank accounts of the majority of the respective employers tomorrow (9 June).

The cumulative value of payments made to employers under the scheme is €1.42 billion (€1,429 million).

A reminder, if you are a business owner getting ready to open up, it is vital that you take measures to do so safely to protect yourself, your staff and your customers.

Remember, the Return to Work Safely Protocol guide is available here. It is designed to support you to put measures in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

Pandemic Unemployment Payment

On Friday, Government approved an extension to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment until 10 August 2020.

A number of other changes to the payment were also agreed, including:

• the introduction, from Phase 3 of the Roadmap (29 June), of a two-level payment structure to link the Pandemic Unemployment Payment level to prior earnings
• the extension, until August, of the waiver of waiting days on jobseekers’ payments and the increased rate of payment for Qualified Adults on jobseeker claims
• the extension, until August, of the current arrangements with respect to the waiver of waiting days and the payment of an enhanced rate of Illness Benefit to people affected by COVID-19

One of the issues identified with the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is that a minority of recipients who previously only worked a small number of hours received significantly more in the Pandemic Unemployment Payment than while in employment.

In order to address this issue, the PUP will now be paid at two levels:

• for those whose prior employment earnings were €200 per week or higher (about 75% of recipients), the PUP rate will remain at €350 per week
• for those whose prior employment earnings were up to €199.99 per week (about 25% of recipients), the rate will be €203 per week - the primary rate of payment of the Jobseeker’s Benefit scheme

No person on the lower rate of payment will receive less on PUP than they were previously paid by their employer.

Today, approximately 515,000 people who were unemployed last week will receive their weekly payment of €350 under the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme.

This is a reduction of over 27,000 on the number of people paid at the same point last week.

This payment will be available today in their nominated bank account or Post Office.

The overall value of the weekly payment is in the region of €180 million.

Last week, approximately 18,500 people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment closed their claim as they had returned to work as part of the first phase of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.

Approximately 15,700 of these are receiving their last unemployment payment this week because they were unemployed in the payment week.

If you are returning to work today following the commencement of Phase 2 of the Roadmap, you should close your claim as you return to work. If you are starting work later in the week, you should close your claim on the day you return to employment.

To close your unemployment claim, you should log on here, click on the link for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and follow the instructions to close your claim.

The Community Call Fora, run by the local authorities, continue to provide help and support to those in need in communities around the country. Over the weekend, they received approximately 580 calls and made approximately 160 follow-up calls to people who have contacted them.

Nationally, since 31 March, the Community Call Fora have received approximately 46,400 calls and have made over 18,500 follow-up calls.

Remember, you can find your local Community Call helpline number here.

You can also contact ALONE on 0818 222 024.

Whilst the number of contacts to the Community Call Fora has reduced in recent weeks, the Fora helplines will continue to operate for those who need them. Helplines will now operate from 9am to 5pm seven days a week.

I also wanted to mention an initiative of The Irish Hospice Foundation, in conjunction with the HSE, who have set up a National Bereavement Support Line to provide connection, comfort and support to those grieving in these exceptional times. It will go live from tomorrow, Tuesday 9 June 2020.

It is a national freephone service – the number is - 1800 80 70 77 which will be available from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday.

The line will:

• provide a confidential space for people to speak about their experience or to ask questions relating to bereavement or the death of someone during the COVID-19 pandemic
• listen and provide comfort and emotional support
• provide any information that might help the caller, including information on practical supports

Any adult who has been impacted by bereavement during the COVID-19 pandemic can call.

This includes people who:

• may have been recently bereaved, through COVID-19 or a different cause of death
• may be concerned about somebody else who has been bereaved
• may wish to call because a previous bereavement feels more difficult at this time

On Friday the government confirmed that a Summer Education Programme will take place for children with significant special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage.

The programme will help children to renew relationships, routines and connections with school and with learning and help to support ongoing social development and wellbeing. This will provide an opportunity to give vital additional support for some of the children with significant special educational needs and those who have been at risk of educational disadvantage since schools closed in March.

The focus will be on students and young people with complex needs – including those who live with significant behavioural, social, emotional and sensory difficulties. It will be similar to the July Provision of previous years and children with Down syndrome will be included as part of our plans for this summer.

Further engagement with the school sector will take place as proposals are finalised over the coming week.

From today, horse racing and greyhound racing will recommence behind closed doors.

In addition, high performance sailing, rowing, golf, soccer and rugby athletes and teams as well as their support staff can return to their designated training centres.

The return to training is strictly limited to specified athletes and teams at the highest level of Irish sport.

In addition, the IRFU professional players and the FAI clubs who are preparing for European competition are also included.

I’m sure this will be good news to both athletes and sporting fans all around the country.

From tomorrow, Irish Water will apply a nationwide Water Conservation Order (more commonly known as a Hosepipe Ban) until Tuesday 21 July. This is necessary to safeguard water supplies for essential purposes. It arises due to a significant period of increased domestic demand and a recent increase in commercial demand as businesses reopen, exacerbated by warm weather and the widespread emergence of drought conditions.

The Water Conservation Order prohibits the use of garden hosepipes and other non-essential uses of water by domestic users and commercial premises for non-commercial activities (for example, watering gardens attached to a business premises).

However, it is important that people continue to adhere to public health advice in relation to hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Tips for conserving water are available on water.ie.

The National Driver Licence Service, the Driver Theory Test, and the National Car Testing Service will begin reopening on a gradual basis from today. You should check relevant websites for updates on centres opening in your area.

The reopening of these services will be subject to measures designed to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19 and is being done in line with the National Return to Work Safely Protocol, therefore there will be a number of measures involved:

• you must make an appointment in advance to avail of any service. No walk-in appointments will be accommodated. This will be kept under review
• all services must be paid for with credit / debit cards. No cash will be taken
• social distancing should always be maintained

In relation to driver tests:

The temporary cessation of driving tests remains in place for public health reasons during the COVID crisis. However, the RSA continue to assess the feasibility of conducting certain driving tests in categories of vehicles such as ambulances and buses.

The relevant bodies continue to work on plans for the resumption of this service in line with the Roadmap and the National Return to Work Safely Protocol.

Other positive news is that NPHET has recommended the phased resumption of indoor visiting of residents in residential care facilities, including nursing homes, to recommence from Monday 15 June.

All facilities are working to put appropriate systems and processes in place, so please call in advance before visiting your loved ones.

I just want to finish by restating that the really important factor in ensuring Phase 2 and the future phases of the roadmap progress as we all would like is following the public health advice. It is absolutely vital that we do so, that we take care when we are out, that we take care if we are in each other’s homes, and especially if we are in the homes of the over 70s and the medically vulnerable. As it has been since this all began, success is in our own hands.

Thank You.