22 October 2020

Full statement from the Press Office of the Department of Tourism, Culture,
Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, issued to the Journal of Music.

‘The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 8)
Regulations 2020 give effect to the level 5 restrictions set out in the Government's
plan for Living with COVID-19.  Under these regulations, the following activity is
considered an essential service:
 
the production of television and radio programmes, video, sound, digital or other
electronic content and the broadcast or publication of the same to the public or a
portion of the public;
 
Under the Broadcasting Act 2009, broadcast means the transmission, relaying or
distribution by electronic communications network which is interpreted to include live-
streaming.  
 
Additionally, the regulations also specifically provide for the filming or other recording
of performances in a theatre, concert hall, museum or art gallery, without an
audience present, for the purposes of broadcasting such performances on the
internet, radio or television.  
 
Concerts or other performances delivered under either of these provisions should
only proceed with strict adherence to the Return to Work Safely Protocols as
published by Government.  As such, these workplaces should be controlled
environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager and with full
protective measures in place.’