Visitors were welcomed back to the National Gallery of Ireland today to view the new Piet Mondrian exhibition.
But while cultural venues - including galleries, museums and cinemas - are allowed to reopen under the new easing of restrictions, theatres are to remain closed.
Speaking at last night's National Public Health Emergency Team briefing, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said that the difference in risk between cinemas and theatres had not been considered by NPHET.
However, speaking to RTÉ News today, Arts Minister Catherine Martin said the issue of theatres opening was under consideration by Government.
Ms Martin said the issue of live performance is a complex one, but that she is continually engaging with the sector.
She added that she understood the disappointment of the theatre sector and she wants people to have the opportunity to perform again.
The arts world has welcomed the return of venues such as galleries and cinemas, but the Director of the Arts Council has said theatres are carefully controlled environments where restrictions can be imposed quite easily.
Maureen Kennelly said careful consideration needs to be given to the sector as a matter of urgency.
The Director of Galway's Town Hall Theatre said theatre owners are dismayed, surprised and disappointed that they are unable to reopen while people can go to a cinema.
Speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, Fergal McGrath said that last August and September, theatres proved they could operate safely for audiences, artists and their workers.
He said the over arching strategy is to live with Covid-19, and many measures had been put in place in theatres to ensure they were controlled environments.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
He said no concerns had been raised when they had reopened earlier in the year.
Mr McGrath said theatre audiences behave similarly to cinema audiences, and have the same seating and social distancing arrangements.
He said it "beggars belief" that they have been excluded from reopening, while cinemas, galleries and museums have been allowed to open their doors.
