With Taoiseach Micheal Martin set to announce the review of the country’s restrictions on April 5, Irish people could be set to see the tight restrictions of Level Five eased for the first time since Christmas.
Although there will continue to be strict guidelines to follow at Level Four, as both Taoiseach and the Health Minister have warned that the Covid-19 situation is still 'concerning', it could mark the first steps of re-opening the country.
All this is dependent on the level of confirmed cases and the strain that is currently on the HSE to treat those hospitalised with Covid-19.
What changes?
The main change for Level Four is the size of groups allowed to gather outside.
The outdoor dining limit returns with a maximum of 15 guests allowed outside bars, cafes and restaurants.
Wet pubs, those only serving alcohol, are outlined as being able to open with a limited number of 15 patrons for outdoor seating, however Taoiseach Micheál Martin did not wish to clarify today whether the distinction between wet pubs and gastropubs will be scrapped.
Gatherings of up to 15 people can take place outdoors. For example: outdoor arts events or training events
Outdoor training of non-contact sports can take place, in pods of up to 15 people.
Up to 25 mourners will be able to attend funerals at Level 4.
What stays the same
Firstly, the main changes people are looking for: No visitors to private homes or social gatherings will be allowed.
All businesses and services will remain closed, other than those deemed to be essential.
Matches can still not take place, unless it’s at the professional or elite sport/inter-county/horse-racing level, which can take place behind closed doors.
Theatres, galleries and other cultural amenities remain closed.
Hotels, which would be open for existing guests, and those with essential non-social and non-tourist purposes, are now being designated as quarantine facilities for passengers arriving in Ireland from designated ‘high risk’ countries.
There have already been 26 bookings reported for these mandatory hotels as of last night.
Speaking on the upcoming announcement, the Taoiseach said: “We understand people are fatigued and tired… their hard work and sacrifice has yielded results and we’re going to have to take that on board as well.”
