Leaving lockdown: Ireland's Covid reopening plan in full

ireland
Leaving Lockdown: Ireland's Covid Reopening Plan In Full
Here is what we know about the plan and its four key dates. Photo: Getty Images.
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Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed that Covid-19 restrictions will ease from May 10th.

Following advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet), the Cabinet has signed off on a raft of loosened Covid-19 restrictions, which will remain dependent on infection numbers and the vaccine rollout.

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Mr Martin said the easing of restrictions would proceed in two main phases over the course of May and June, with higher-risk activities such as indoor hospitality to be considered at the end of June.


Phase 1 – May

From May 4th

  • Construction: All remaining construction can recommence.

From May 10th

  • Travel: Intercounty travel will resume.
  • Gatherings: Three households or six people will be able to meet outdoors, including in private gardens. This limit of six does not include children aged 12 or younger.
  • Vaccine bonus: Fully vaccinated people can meet indoors without masks or social distancing with up to three other fully vaccinated households, or with unvaccinated people from a single household who are not at risk of severe illness.
  • Organised gatherings: Outdoor gatherings can take place with a maximum of 15 people.
  • Sports: Outdoor training for adults can take place in pods of no more than 15 people.
  • Retail: Non-essential retail click-and-collect services can resume, along with outdoor retail.
  • Personal services: Personal services such as hairdressers can reopen by appointment.
  • Attractions: Galleries, museums, other cultural attractions and libraries (lending services only, with no access to reader spaces or computers) can reopen.
  • Religious services: In-person religious services can resume, although no communions or confirmations should take place.
  • Funerals: 50 mourners can attend a funeral service, with no related events taking place before or after.
  • Weddings: 50 guests can attend a civil or religious service, while six guests can attend an indoor reception and 15 can attend an outdoor reception.
  • Public transport: Capacity will increase to 50 per cent of normal.

From May 17th

  • Retail: All remaining retail can reopen.

Phase 2 – June

From June 2nd

  • Hospitality: Hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and self-catering accommodation can reopen for guests. Services including leisure facilities, indoor restaurant and bar services must be restricted to overnight guests and residents only.

From June 7th

  • Hospitality: Outdoor services in bars and restaurants can recommence, with sector specific safety measures in place.
  • Sports: Outdoor sports matches can recommence, but with no spectators at this time.
  • Sports: Gyms, swimming pools, and leisure centres can reopen for individual training.
  • Weddings: The number of guests attending wedding receptions can increase to 25.
  • Gatherings: Indoor visits in private homes from one other household can begin again.

July and August

A number of higher-risk activities will be considered at the end of June for later in the year including:

  • Indoor hospitality such as restaurants, bars, nightclubs, casinos.
  • Indoor team/group sports including matches, training and exercise classes.
  • Mass gatherings/events that involves spectators both indoors and outdoors.
  • International travel.

The further easing of restrictions from July onwards will depend on vaccine rollout and uptake, as well as the emerging evidence about new Covid-19 variants.

The Government is also working on a plan for an "enhanced" on-campus experience for higher and further education students for the new academic year.

It is also considering proposals on the holding of a limited number of pilot live events for arts, culture, sport and live entertainment, and preparing for the reopening of cinemas and theatres in June subject to public health advice.

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