To ask the Minister of Health, further to the 27 November 2020 COVID-19 restrictions, (i) whether sport massage therapists are allowed to provide services during the specified two week period; and (ii) to define the exemptions of those ancillary to medical, health and social care services: and elite-sport therapeutic services.

There is an exemption in the regulations, following the Executive’s latest decision, to allow sports massage therapists to continue to provide their services.

If a service is commissioned by the HSC it is considered ancillary to medical, health and social care services. There is no restriction on close contact services relating to essential health needs, as defined in the regulations, such as; dental services, opticians, audiology services, chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths, podiatry and other medical services, including services relating to mental health.