Current Direction for Party Activity – June 2020
At all times, our activity must be guided by current public health advice in relation to this pandemic.
The party at all levels must be, and must be seen to be, in step with advice, north and south.
The conclusions of this paper remain based on adherence to both northern and southern restrictions.
This document, and the instructions contained within it, will continue to be updated on a regular basis as public health restrictions evolve.
Constituency Offices
Processes should begin with a view to the reopening of constituency offices. Relevant representatives, as well as line and office managers, are to familiarise themselves with the relevant guidelines and undertake necessary work to comply with them, in advance of the reopening of offices. Only when offices are confident that they can adhere to this direction should workers return.
Offices that cannot facilitate appropriate social distancing (adequate space between workstations, no sharing of workstations) should remain closed.
The public health advice from both jurisdictions stresses that it is still important to facilitate working from home if possible. That remains the direction of the party.
Key activists in certain institutions will be returning to work. Ard Oifig will be reopening on June 23rd.
In the cases that an activist is returning to work, the guidelines and regulations should be implemented fully, ensuring every measure is taken to ensure safety. Any activist in a vulnerable category should continue to work from home.
Offices should remain closed to the public (walk-ins) for the foreseeable future. Constituents should only be dealt with on an appointment basis, when strict adherence to social distancing and good hygiene practice are guaranteed.
The party is currently sourcing appropriate and uniform signage for constituency offices. This will aid compliance with social and hygiene restrictions and ensure all offices possess, and present, the same information.
Areas should give serious consideration to arranging deep cleans for constituency offices in advance of reopening.
Activism
Activism must be completely compliant with current public health advice and restrictions. The current relaxations allow for outdoor engagements of up to 15 people, within your county (or 20kms of your home if you live close to a county boundary) and adhering to social distancing. In the north, this is currently restricted to 6 people. This by no means signals a return to normality in relation to activism.
No leaflet drops or canvassing should be undertaken at this time.
Activists and representatives are still encouraged to be inventive and creative in relation to political activity at this time. Party meetings can be conducted via Skype or Zoom, as can sectoral engagements. Social media activity can be enhanced also. This relative lull in activity can also be used to plan and strategise for post-COVID19 activity.
No activist should travel off the island for party business. All activists are strongly encouraged to avoid all non-essential travel at this stage.
Commemorations
The further relaxation of restrictions presents an opportunity to examine potential in relation to commemorations.
Very small wreath laying ceremonies (or similar events) can be considered, providing they adhere strictly to the following:
· Take place within set travel restriction area (county or 20kms as stated above)
· Complete compliance with social distancing guidelines
· Very small numbers in attendance
· No promotion or advertisement (that would/could encourage unannounced footfall)
Again, activists are encouraged to continue to demonstrate creativity and ingenuity in relation to commemorations. For example, the event could be recorded or livestreamed.
Online commemorations, similar in nature to the party’s Easter commemoration, will continue to be produced for national commemorations. This will include Bodenstown and the National Hunger Strike Commemoration.
Institutions
Work in institutions will be directed by their respective bainisteoir, as such, all elected representatives and activists involved in institutions are to follow their instruction. Some key activists will be returning to institutions.
Regards,
Ken O’Connell,
General Secretary.