A lot of changes are coming from next month.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced a number of changes to the current public health restrictions in place in Ireland.
The changes will come into effect on a phased basis over the next few months and below is a full breakdown of what you can expect.
2 June
- Accommodation services including hotels, B&Bs, self-catering and hostels can reopen.
7 June
- The numbers permitted at organised outdoor events can increase to a maximum of 100 for the majority of venues, with a maximum of 200 for outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000.
- Cinemas and theatres can reopen.
- There will be the partial reopening of driver theory test services.
- In terms of indoor visits to private homes, visitors from one other household are permitted for unvaccinated households.
- The numbers of guests attending wedding celebrations or receptions can increase to 25.
- Outdoor sports matches can recommence.
- Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres can reopen for individual training only.
- Outdoor services in restaurants and bars can recommence.
- Outdoor theme parks and funfairs can reopen.
- Drive-in cinema and drive-in bingo can take place.
- Swimming lessons and classes can take place.
5 July
Subject to maintaining progress with the virus, the following measures will come into effect:
- Up to three households are permitted to meet indoors in private homes.
- The number of guests permitted at wedding receptions and celebrations will increase to 50.
- Organised indoor events can recommence, permitting a maximum of 50 attendees at the majority of venues in pods or groups of up to six, with arrangements to ensure no intermingling of groups. There can be a maximum of 100 in larger venues where strict two-metre seated social distancing and one-way controls for entry and exit can be implemented.
- The numbers permitted at outdoor organised events can further increase to a maximum of 200 for the majority of venues, with a maximum of 500 for outdoor stadiums and venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000.
- Indoor training, exercise and dance activities can recommence in pods of up to six.
- Indoor services can return in restaurants and bars.
19 July
Subject to the public health situation at the time, non-essential international travel will re-commence as Ireland will operate the EU Digital Covid Certificate.
For more information about international travel and the certificate, see here.
Live events
To prepare for the easing of restrictions, a selected small number of sport and cultural pilot live events will take place in June.
The Government says the purpose of these pilots is to “assess logistical arrangements to implement necessary protective measures.”
It added: “This will inform guidance for venues due to reopen in July or with growing numbers in August.”
See a list of pilot live events here.
Next steps
Assuming continued progress in suppressing Covid-19, further easing of restrictions will be considered for August.
These include:
- increases in the numbers permitted at both indoor and outdoor events,
- the maximum attendance at wedding receptions and celebrations rising to 100,
- public transport operating at full capacity.
For more information, click here.
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