After months of harsh Covid-19 restrictions Ireland is set to see some easing from today.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin previously announced some moderate changes to the current lockdown as hope grows that we are starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
However the changes which have been introduced are marginal as the Government adopts a cautious approach with Covid infections still quite high and the vaccine rollout continuing.
The major changes which take effect today include the 5km travel limit being scrapped while in-school learning will return in full.
Here's a full breakdown of every single lockdown rule currently in place:
Schools
12 April onwards (post Easter Holidays):
In-school teaching to fully return.
Higher and adult education
Higher, further and adult education should remain primarily online.
Construction
From 12 April, all residential construction can resume, as well as early-learning and childcare projects.
Until then, construction is closed with the following exceptions:
- essential health and related projects including those relevant to preventing, limiting, minimising or slowing the spread of COVID-19
- social housing projects, including voids, designated as essential sites by Local Authorities based on set criteria
- housing adaptation grants where the homeowner is agreeable to adaptions being undertaken in their home
- repair, maintenance and construction of critical transport and utility infrastructure
- education facilities sites designated as essential by Department of Education
- supply and delivery of essential or emergency maintenance and repair services to businesses and places of residence (including electrical, gas, oil, plumbing, glazing and roofing services) on an emergency call-out basis
- certain large construction projects in the exporting / FDI sector based on set criteria
- in relation to private homes that are practically complete and scheduled for habitation by 31 January 2021, including where snagging, and essential remediation work, such as pyrite works is nearing completion, works should continue to enable homeowners access their homes. Heating, water, broadband and electricity installation should also continue to enable homes be occupied
- existing tenancy protections mean that a tenant cannot be evicted from their home during the period of the 5km travel restrictions. To enable a limited functioning of the housing and residential tenancy market during this time it has also been agreed that online viewings will be the default approach to viewing property for rental or sale, with a physical viewing only permissible at the point where a tenancy agreement is being entered into or where a contract for sale has been drawn up. This approach balances the need to avoid social interaction with the need to provide a pathway to tenancy and home ownership for those who need it
Retail and services (for example: hairdressers, beauticians, barbers)
Face coverings must be worn.
All retail is closed except for essential retail.
All non-essential services are closed.
Click and collect
Click and collect from non-essential retail outlets is not permitted.
Click and deliver will continue to be permitted.
The government will consider the phased return of non-essential retail commencing with click and collect and outdoor retail, for example: garden centres/nurseries, after 4 May.
Social and family gatherings
In your home or garden
No visitors are permitted in private homes or gardens except for essential family reasons such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people, or as part of a support bubble.
If 2 weeks have passed since you got your second dose of the vaccine, you can meet with other fully vaccinated people from 1 other household indoors without wearing masks or staying 2 metres apart. If you have received the second dose, you have to wait 2 weeks until you can meet other fully vaccinated people indoors.
Other settings outside your home or garden
From 12 April, you may meet people from 1 other household outdoors, but not in your garden or theirs. Any meetings outdoors should be safe, with continued practising of social distancing and other safe behaviours.
Masks should be worn in crowded outdoor spaces.
Weddings
Up to 6 guests are permitted.
Organised indoor gatherings
These are controlled environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager.
For example: business, training events, conferences, events in theatres and cinemas or other arts events (excluding sport).
No organised indoor gatherings should take place.
Organised outdoor gatherings
These are controlled environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager. For example: outdoor arts events, training events.
No organised outdoor gatherings should take place.
Exercise and sporting events
Training
People may meet with people from one other household in outdoor settings when taking exercise.
From 19 April, training can resume for National Governing Body sanctioned and organised adult intercounty National Gaelic Games Leagues not including under 20 or minor competitions.
High performing athletes, as approved by Sport Ireland, can resume from 19 April.
From 26 April
Subject to public health advice at the time, outdoor sports facilities can reopen (for example: pitches, golf courses and tennis courts, other facilities as appropriate).
Activities should take place between a maximum of two households. Facilities including club houses and any indoor facilities (for example: changing rooms, showers, kitchens, meeting rooms), apart from essential toilet facilities must remain closed. There should not be any return to team sports or training activities.
Underage non-contact outdoor training in pods of 15 can resume, subject to public health advice at the time.
Matches and events
Professional, elite sports, horse racing, greyhound racing and approved equestrian events only are permitted to continue behind closed doors.
No other matches or events are to take place.
Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools
Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools are closed.
Religious services
Services will be held online. This will be reviewed by 4 May.
Places of worship remain open for private prayer.
Attendance at funerals
The maximum attendance at funerals is currently 10. From 26 April, the maximum attendance at funerals will increase to 25, subject to public health advice.
Museums, galleries and other cultural attractions
All venues closed. This will be reviewed by 4 May.
Online services are available.
Bars, cafes and restaurants (including hotel restaurants and bars)
Take away food and delivery only.
Wet pubs
Closed.
Nightclubs, discos, casinos
Nightclubs, discos and casinos will remain closed.
Hotels and accommodation
Open only for essential non-social and non-tourist purposes.
Work
Work from home unless essential for work, which is an essential health, social care or other essential service and cannot be done from home.
Travel restrictions
Domestic
People are required to stay at home except for travel for work, education or other essential purposes. From 12 April, you can travel within your own county or within 20km of your home if crossing county boundaries.
You can travel beyond these distances for the following reasons:
- travel to and from work, where work involves providing an essential
- teachers, SNAs and other school staff will be allowed to travel to school to facilitate distance learning
- to attend medical appointments and collect medicines and other health products
- travel to attend disability day services
- travel to attend a court
- for vital family reasons, such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people, and in particular for those who live alone, but excluding social family visits
- for food shopping
- for farming purposes (food production or care of animals)
- to attend a wedding or funeral
- to visit a grave
Outdoor playgrounds, play areas and parks
Open with protective measures in place.
Transport
Face coverings must be worn.
Walk or cycle where possible.
Avoid public transport - except for essential workers and essential purposes only.
Public transport capacity will be restricted to 25%.
Over 70 and others at increased risk of severe illness
Those aged over 70 years and over and others at increased risk of severe illness should exercise judgement regarding the extent to which they engage with others and in activities outside home.
However, guidance for those most vulnerable to the severe impacts of COVID-19 that have been fully vaccinated will be aligned with that for the general population (for example: regarding use of public transport, going to shops).
Those who have the full protection of the vaccine may visit indoors with one other household who also has full protection.
Full protection is not in place if it has been less than 2 weeks since the second vaccine dose
Visiting long-term residential care facilities (nursing and care homes)
Residents may be facilitated to receive 2 visits per week on general compassionate grounds. This will be possible following two weeks after full vaccination of approximately 8 out of 10 of all residents and healthcare workers in the nursing home.
There is no requirement to limit visits to less than one hour.
