The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht have issued a statement this afternoon, August 19, announcing that venues such as cinemas, galleries or theatres "can continue to operate under existing limits where appropriate physical distancing can continue to be maintained."

The statement follows the announcement of new restrictions yesterday, which included a limit of six people, down from 50, attending indoor events.

However, since yesterday's announcement, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht have clarified that these new measures do not apply to events in these "controlled environments" – but "individual groupings attending these venues must be limited to six people from no more than 3 households."

In regards to outdoor events, which had been limited to a maximum of 15 people under the new restrictions, down from 200, the Department has also noted that "outdoor arts events which take place in venues which allow for a controlled environment where social distancing can be ensured can also proceed on the basis of existing limits."

Read the full statement from the Department below:

Statement from the Department:

Businesses/services such as cinemas, galleries, theatres etc are deemed to be controlled environments, with appropriate protective measures in place such as physical distancing between people. #Covid19

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— Tourism-Culture-Arts-Gaeltacht-Sport-Media (@DeptCulturelRL) August 19, 2020

These venues can continue to operate under existing limits where appropriate physical distancing can continue to be maintained. Individual groupings attending these venues must be limited to six people from no more than 3 households.

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— Tourism-Culture-Arts-Gaeltacht-Sport-Media (@DeptCulturelRL) August 19, 2020

Similarly outdoor arts events which take place in venues which allow for a controlled environment where social distancing can be ensured can also proceed on the basis of existing limits.

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— Tourism-Culture-Arts-Gaeltacht-Sport-Media (@DeptCulturelRL) August 19, 2020

For further assistance, event organisers in the cultural sector can email [email protected] with their query and contact number. The Department will respond to your query as promptly as possible.

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— Tourism-Culture-Arts-Gaeltacht-Sport-Media (@DeptCulturelRL) August 19, 2020