Yesterday evening the Taoiseach announced a number of new measures in Ireland's fight against Covid-19. The majority of these measures appeared to be voluntary nudges towards better behaviour rather than enforceable rules. One of the few concrete decisions though - to bring all sporting occasions "behind closed doors" - has caused anger and confusion in Irish sporting circles, with many not seeing the logic is disallowing small numbers of spectators to attend games in an out door and very well spread out environment.
In the press conference to announce these changes, Micheál Martin and the acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronan Glynn both made vague references to outbreaks around sporting events, though Dr. Glynn pointed out this was not a result of team behaviour, but rather of congregations of supporters traveling to and from games. No specific details were given on any of these cases.
In response, the GAA have offered a curt statement, calling on the Dr. Glynn to provide evidence that this is the case.
Following this evening’s unexpected announcement the GAA invites Dr Ronan Glynn and NPHET to present the empirical evidence which informed the requirement for the Association to curtail its activities.
The Association will tonight be issuing an invitation to Dr Glynn to meet with its Covid Advisory Group in this regard without delay.
The GAA and its members remain at all times committed to protecting public health.
While attending GAA games is obviously not a life and death matter, and should no doubt be below school openings and keeping jobs active in the list of priorities, it's nevertheless difficult not to feel that this is a random cracking of the whip against sport. Most feel this measure addresses very few of the issues that have led to the recent surge in Covid cases while the real causes have been left undisturbed.
There is certainly sure to be more discussion among government, politicians, sporting bodies, and supporters on this situation in the coming days, but for now, games are off limits.
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