22 Apr Dillon insists Churches are safer than Supermarkets

Deputy Alan Dillon has welcomed party leaders in Government issuing a letter of reassurance to the religious leaders and other faith groups on their commitment to deal with the issue of returning religious services.

The Mayo Fine Gael TD said “I recently spoke in the Dáil and called for some easing of restrictions to include the restoration of public worship, albeit in a safe and limited way.”

“As we progress with the vaccination roll out, so many of the most vulnerable are now vaccinated and in view of the importance of public worship to so many people, the Government should now allow places of worship to reopen allow the resumption of religious services.”

“Most churches are well ventilated buildings that can seat hundreds of people. By all accounts the churches operated in a very safe manner when allowed to open last November with sanitising, allocated places, one-way systems, limits on numbers, social distancing and face coverings.”

“We need to trust the public to adhered to public health protocols as we move forward with re-opening society. The apparent risks of Covid transmission when attending church are much lower than busy supermarkets that remained open right through the pandemic. For many attending religious services are key to their spirituality, key to their wellbeing and their faith and the public really want to be given the opportunity to return in a safe manner. “