Marts are relieved that they have not been singled out in the Government’s plan for living with COVID-19, announced on Tuesday.
The plan is to guide the country’s response to the virus over the next seven months and sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help lower COVID-19 transmission.
Ray Doyle of ICOS, the body representing marts, told the Irish Farmers Journal that “mart organisations are relieved that we have not been singled out in the five stages” of the Government’s plan.
“Marts will continue to operate with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) approved by the Department of Agriculture,” he said.
Masks and social distancing
The wearing of masks in marts became mandatory from 24 August.
"This is a community-based effort where we’re all in it together for the wellbeing of our people and our country. For that reason, masks will be obligatory in marts, without exception, and we thank all of our customers for their ongoing support and encouragement and for their adherence to this requirement,” Doyle said at the time.
Since July, farmers at marts have had to abide by 1m social distancing rules at marts. This was reduced from 2m, a move that was welcomed by mart managers.
Serial testing of workers to be reviewed
As revealed by the Irish Farmers Journal last week, the HSE paused the serial testing of meat factory workers, as the demand for testing in the general public increased.
In the Government’s document on new measures, it says that “serial testing already under way in larger food plants will continue”.
The national standing committee, which oversees COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in food processing plants, will review the need for this approach to serial testing and any new areas, based on disease incidence in high-risk areas.
The Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection, is to review the implementation of the return to work safely protocol and other measures in the food sector, including information on social welfare entitlements.
The Department will also report to the cabinet committee on COVID-19 on compliance with COVID-19 protocols in food processing plants and working with HSE local outbreak teams where there are outbreaks in plants.
It has been asked to co-ordinate studies of operational and environmental factors that facilitate COVID-19 transmission in meat plants and make sure any changes or technologies required to control infection are adopted.
Read more
HSE pauses blanket factory worker testing
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Agriculture's 10-year road map due in coming months - Taoiseach
Marts are relieved that they have not been singled out in the Government’s plan for living with COVID-19, announced on Tuesday.
The plan is to guide the country’s response to the virus over the next seven months and sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help lower COVID-19 transmission.
Ray Doyle of ICOS, the body representing marts, told the Irish Farmers Journal that “mart organisations are relieved that we have not been singled out in the five stages” of the Government’s plan.
“Marts will continue to operate with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) approved by the Department of Agriculture,” he said.
Masks and social distancing
The wearing of masks in marts became mandatory from 24 August.
"This is a community-based effort where we’re all in it together for the wellbeing of our people and our country. For that reason, masks will be obligatory in marts, without exception, and we thank all of our customers for their ongoing support and encouragement and for their adherence to this requirement,” Doyle said at the time.
Since July, farmers at marts have had to abide by 1m social distancing rules at marts. This was reduced from 2m, a move that was welcomed by mart managers.
Serial testing of workers to be reviewed
As revealed by the Irish Farmers Journal last week, the HSE paused the serial testing of meat factory workers, as the demand for testing in the general public increased.
In the Government’s document on new measures, it says that “serial testing already under way in larger food plants will continue”.
The national standing committee, which oversees COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in food processing plants, will review the need for this approach to serial testing and any new areas, based on disease incidence in high-risk areas.
The Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection, is to review the implementation of the return to work safely protocol and other measures in the food sector, including information on social welfare entitlements.
The Department will also report to the cabinet committee on COVID-19 on compliance with COVID-19 protocols in food processing plants and working with HSE local outbreak teams where there are outbreaks in plants.
It has been asked to co-ordinate studies of operational and environmental factors that facilitate COVID-19 transmission in meat plants and make sure any changes or technologies required to control infection are adopted.
Read more
HSE pauses blanket factory worker testing
Beef taskforce to reconvene in late September Minister confirms
Agriculture's 10-year road map due in coming months - Taoiseach
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