IRELAND
/The following information has been collected and collated by convergence consulting in collaboration with our in-country Global Alliance Partner. Please let us know if you have additional questions by emailing us at COVID-19@cc-global.com.
1. Does your country’s health authority have guidelines or requirements for when COVID-19 cases are classified work-related and reported as a workplace illness?
Currently there is no requirement for an Employer to notify the Health Authority if an employee contracts COVID-19. Diseases are not reportable under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Reporting of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 370 of 2016).
COVID-19 is reportable by a medical practitioner who becomes aware or suspects an instance of such disease, under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2020.
2. Is there information on the timing of “return to work” and the process for a worker to return, i.e. examination by a physician, or a negative COVID test?
Yes. Employees presenting symptoms of COVID-19 are instructed to self-isolate for 14 days and contact a General Practitioner (GP) for further health advice.
Employees returning to work following self-isolation require health clearance and should be monitored closely for an additional 14 days, with the last 5 days fever free.
For more information on management of COVID-19 in the Workplace, the “COVID-19 Workplace Protection and Improvement Guide” is available at the following weblink: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/news_events_media/news/news_and_articles/nsai_-_covid-19_workplace_protection_and_improvement_guide.pdf
3. Does your country’s health authority have COVID-19 mitigation guidelines for the public and/or for business? If so, please list them below and how long they will be in place.
There are guidelines for the public and for businesses. Restrictions are currently in place until May 5:, 2020:
Stay at home except:
to travel to and from work where the work is considered an essential service.
to to work in an essential shop, bank or post office.
to buy food, medicines and other health products for yourself, your family or someone who is vulnerable.
to attend medical appointments.
for vital family reasons including caring for children, elderly or vulnerable people but excluding social family visits.
to exercise within 2 kilometers of your house. No exercise with people from outside your household is permitted.
“Cocooning” measures are in place for those over the age of 70.
Everyone who can work from home must work from home. This includes essential workers and workers in essential government, utilities or other functions.
Adult community education centers and local community centers are closed.
All non-essential surgery, health procedures and other non-essential health services are postponed.
All visits to hospitals, residential healthcare centers, other residential settings or prisons are stopped with specific exemptions on compassionate grounds.
Pharmacists are to be allowed by law to dispense medicines outside the dates spelled out in prescriptions according to their own professional judgement.
Travel restrictions are implemented as follows:
There will be a nationwide restriction on travel outside of 2 kilometers from home, except for the exceptions listed above.
Public transport and passenger travel will be restricted to those who are buying food or medicines, care givers, or going to medical appointments and for essential workers.
Travel to Ireland's offshore islands is limited only to residents of those islands.
Local authorities will relax on-street parking laws to meet the travel needs of essential workers.
The arrival of personal non-national maritime leisure vessels is banned (except to exceptions as 'port in a storm').
More specific descriptions of the above guidelines and restrictions can be found on the following website: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/self-isolation-and-limited-social-interaction.html
For businesses, Government has created two categories: Essential Services and Non-Essential Services. A list of Essential Services can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/dfeb8f-list-of-essential-service-providers-under-new-public-health-guidelin/
All non-essential service providers have been asked to operate from home where possible or remain closed until May 5. Further guidance on working at home and other work related guidelines can be found at: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/news_events_media/news/news_and_articles/covid_19_%E2%80%93_advice_for_employers.html
4. Which governmental authority issued these guidelines, and are they voluntary or mandatory?
The Department of Taoiseach, Department of Health, Ireland’s Health, Service Executive (HSE) and Ireland’s Health & Safety Authority issued the guidelines and restrictions. They are imposed under legislation (see Question 6) are mandatory.
5. Do these mitigation measures have any consequence, such as, if a person does not abide by these measures must they pay a fine or go to jail?
The Police force has powers of arrest in relation to those who do not abide by COVID-19 restrictions, until 5 May. Those who are convicted face a maximum of six months in prison and/or a fine of €2,500.
6. Has your country adopted any laws or regulations related to COVID-19?
Yes, the restrictions and guidelines listed above have associated laws. These include:
The Health Act 1947 (Section 3IA - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) Regulations 2020. Specific details can be accessed at: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2020/si/121/made/en/print
The Health (Preservation and Protection and Other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020.
Specific details can be accessed at: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2020/act/1/section/10/enacted/en/html
The data presented here is not a complete analysis of all COVID-19 information; however, our in-country Partner will provide updates as and when considered appropriate and as relevant data becomes available. If you have any additional questions, or request for country information, please email us at COVID-19@cc-global.com with additional inquiries.
