New statement issued clarifying rules on restrictions for cultural sector

The Government have issued a new statement about the numbers of people allowed to attend cultural events, following consultation with Minister of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht Catherine Martin and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.

The statement, released today, August 20, follows calls for greater clarity for people in the cultural sector from the National Campaign for the Arts – after different statements about the numbers allowed to attend cultural events emerged yesterday.

In the new statement, the Government have announced that businesses and services "such as museums, cinemas, theatres and art galleries are deemed to be controlled environments, with appropriate protective measures in place such as physical distancing between people."

"These venues can continue to operate where appropriate physical distancing and all other protective measures can continue to be maintained," the statement continues. "Individual groupings attending these venues must be limited to six people from no more than 3 households. Overall attendance must adhere to an overall limit of 50 people.

"All other indoor cultural events are subject to the 6 person maximum rule."

The statement goes on to note that all outdoor events are subject "to the new limits of 15", down from the previous limit of 200.

Read the full statement here.

In response to the statement, First Music Contact have put out a call for any music venues with "socially distanced programming in place between now and September 13th" to contact [email protected] – so they can "collate information and liaise with the relevant authorities for clarity on your behalf."

Can any Music Venues who have socially distanced programming in place between now and September 13th please email [email protected] so we can collate information and liaise with the relevant authorities for clarity on your behalf. please RT #SaveTheArts

— First Music Contact (@FMC_Ireland) August 20, 2020

Una Mullally has also questioned how the new measures apply to to "live performance venues that aren't theatres" on Twitter.

"Can gigs and concerts happen in venues with a physically distanced audience of 50 people or is only an audience of six people allowed?" she continues. "The live music industry is the biggest live performance industry and it's not mentioned."