Ireland's Minister of Health Responds To Our Request

Following the Irish government’s decision to prohibit all indoor activities and classes under the Level 5 Lockdown, we reached out to the Ireland's Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, to gain clarification over the official categorisation of yoga. 

Yoga is far more than physical activity, and yet the official classification of yoga is unclear. This has created confusion over whether yoga classes can go ahead under the Level 5 lockdown, or could run under the category of health care and emotional support.

The response was as follows:

According to the Irish government, yoga classes are regarded as exercise and sporting events under the plan. Under Levels 3, 4 and 5 indoor training is only permitted on an individual basis, therefore exercise and sporting events, including classes, cannot take place.

As Ireland is currently in Level 5, conducting indoor yoga classes is not in line with government guidelines. 

Stephen Donnelly claims Ireland’s Plan to tackle coronavirus reflects a careful consideration of the impact of restrictions on employment and livelihoods, keeping as many businesses open as possible at different stages, while acknowledging that some businesses and services are critical. While acknowledging that that sports and other activities are central to our well-being, the risk of infection is too high to warrant indoor yoga classes. 

We hope that this response prevents any further confusion as to the Irish government's regulations for teaching yoga in lockdown.