The owner of a martial arts school in Tramore says it's deeply unfair they cannot run indoor summer camps.
Tracey Fitzgerald runs The Dojo with her husband Kieran. She says they were able to run summer camps last year, and there was no indication on the gov.ie website earlier this month to indicate they couldn't take place this year.
However, despite having bookings for a camp due to take place this week (July 12th), they were forced to cancel last minute on Friday afternoon, when guidance was updated ruling them out.
Tracey says it was deeply disappointing not only for them but for the children and their families:
"I had one parent who texted me - she has a 3 year old and a 6 year old - and she actually said the 6 year old turned around and said 'I'm never getting excited about anything ever again, Covid ruins everything'. She had been so excited to come to the camp."
The Dojo is a martial arts centre and venue for kids' parties. Its camps offer a mixture of crafts, activities and play and cater to kids with additional needs, Tracey says the last minute disruption for children and their families is very upsetting:
"We would have had a least 4 children on the autism spectrum attending that camp so ... the prep that parents have to go through getting the kids ready, it's very unfair on the parents and the children."
The disappointment is compounded by the fact that other indoor activities can take place, she says:
"I have no idea why when it's ok to go into a cinema, it's ok to go into a swimming pool, which wouldn't be one bit ventilated in my opinion they are very hot stuffy places. Weddings can go ahead, summer camps can go ahead, the July provision camps in schools can go ahead, which are indoor, camps in creches can go ahead, so I just don't understand."
The Dojo has been closed since October and Tracey says they still don't know when they can reopen. The future is very uncertain for them and for many other owners of similar venues throughout the country who are appealing for clarity.
