THE GOVERNMENT HAS given the green light dance schools to facilitate individual performers to train while adhering to strict Covid-19 guidelines.
Members from the performing arts sector of Ireland held a silent, socially distanced protest outside Leinster House today over the continued closure of businesses.
The group included dance school owners, drama and stage school owners, dance teachers, and professional dancers and others.
The group called on the government to reopen their sector, along with sports and similar activities which are allowed to re-open under the easing of restrictions this week.
There have been calls for dancers to be allowed to train in pods of one, similar what other activities.
Speaking in the Dáil this evening, Fine Gael’s Emer Higgins said children are getting back to sports training across the country.
Dancers and performing artists deserve the same treatment as other athletes, she argued.
“Not every child is sporty, not every adult is sporty. People get their kicks in different ways, and that’s why a kick-dance is as important as a karate kick. Why speech and drama is as important as soccer and drills. But our Level 3 guidelines says differently,” she told Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.
“This is a huge issue for dancers.We’re talking about denying them their passion, after they’ve already endured months and months of lockdown,” said Higgins.
Having asked the minister what risk is posed by dancing, Higgins said she was told yesterday was none, but it was about the indoor aspect.
She said Sport Ireland issued guidelines to allow for sport practice in what they’re terming ‘pods of one’, adding that like Sports Ireland organisations, dancers will make sure their premises are safe, are clean, and that physical distancing is in place.
Sports Minister Catherine Martin said while dance classes can not be held, schools can offer one-on-one dance training and individual instruction at Level 3.
She said the Arts Council are drawing up guidelines for dance practice that will be available next week.
However, until then, she said performers can adhere to the Sport Ireland guidelines.
A number of other TDs such as Independent TD Mattie McGrath, who was All-Ireland set-dancing champion in 1974, has also raised the matter, as has Labour’s Alan Kelly and Independent TD Denis Naughten.
Yesterday, Independent TD Carol Nolan said she meet several dance class teachers outside Leinster House this morning.
“It makes no sense that they are restricted so much. They have taken every measure they could possibly take. They have mortgages to pay. Children are back in school but cannot attend dance classes.
“One dance teacher told me that children and teenagers are absolutely heartbroken and that it is having a serious effect on their mental health and well-being. I appeal to the Government to please show some goodwill and fairness in terms of lifting this restriction because it makes no sense when children are back in school and everything else. This issue needs to be looked at,” she said.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say