We’ve all been waiting for Ireland to reopen. Months of heavy restriction has left us all feeling isolated, stuck and bored.
May 10 kicked off Ireland’s big reopening week as intercounty travel opened back up, non-essential retail opened by appointment and we could all finally get our hair cut!
On Monday Ireland ran to the shopping centres as all retail opened up again.
As we look forward to getting our lives back to normal, here’s every Covid-19 restriction that hasn’t been lifted yet and when they will be lifted:
Hospitality
Get ready to staycation as Ireland’s hospitality sector is set to reopen next month.
From June 2 we will see hotels and B&B’s open at last.
Guests will also be able to make the most of their stay with indoor dining, bar services and leisure facilities.
Pubs and restaurants
On Monday June 7, outdoor service in pubs, bars and restaurants will recommence with safety measures in place for outdoor seating. We will be free to enjoy a meal or a few pints outside in groups of up to 6 people.
We have no date yet for when we can eat inside restaurants again. By the end of June, the
government will begin reconsiderations for indoor dining along with discussing the reopening of bars and nightclubs.
International Travel
The latest news on travelling abroad has been Tanaiste Leo Varadkar saying foreign holidays won’t be allowed until August.
It all comes down to the European Commission’s green cert scheme.
Travellers will be able to register if they have been vaccinated, tested negative or have recovered from Covid-19.
When the scheme is finally implemented we could be free to travel to mainland Europe with
ease.
The European Commision is aiming to have the scheme up and running by June 21. Mr Varadkar on the other hand has said the Government is planning to wait six weeks before introducing it to Ireland.
While countries that rely heavily on tourism like Spain, Portugal, Italy and the Canary Islands are starting to welcome tourists in May and June, the Tanaiste has reminded us that it is currently “against the law” to travel abroad for non-essential purposes.
For now, mandatory home or hotel quarantine is the norm for those of us returning from forbidden foreign holidays until we hear more about the new August date for travel.
Sports and Leisure
Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres will open their doors again on June 7.
From this date, outdoor sports matches can take place without spectators.
In July, indoor team sports will have restrictions eased too.
Entertainment
The government is preparing for the safe reopening of cinemas and theatres in June, subject
to public health advice.
June will also see decisions being made on the reopening of casinos and live events for arts,
culture and music.
Vaccines
Last week, on May 12, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said that anyone looking for a Covid-19 vaccination could be offered one by the end of June. On May 13 he promised everyone would get a jab by “early July.”
He told the Dáil: “they might not have it by the end of June, but they will certainly have their
appointment for it in early July.”
While we may not all get a chance to receive a vaccination next month, the State is hoping that 300,000 to 400,000 jabs could be given per week in June.
As the country continues reopening this summer and the Government makes further decisions, the un-restricted Ireland we once enjoyed could soon be back.
