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 month or so and below is a full breakdown of what you can expect.
4 May
- Construction: All construction can restart.
10 May
- Travel: You can travel between counties in Ireland.
- Outdoor gatherings: A maximum of three households or six people from any number of households can meet outdoors for social and recreational purposes, including in private gardens. This limit of six does not include children aged 12 or younger.
- Organised outdoor gatherings: A maximum of 15 people can meet for organised outdoor gatherings.
- Outdoor training: Outdoor training for adults can commence in pods with a maximum of 15 people.
- Retail: Click and collect services can resume.
- Personal services: Hairdressers, barbers, beauticians can reopen for customers with appointments only.
- Attractions: Galleries, museums and other cultural attractions can reopen. Libraries to reopen for lending services but with no access to reader spaces or PCs.
- Religious services: While religious services can recommence, it is advised that other religious ceremonies such as communions and confirmations should not take place at this time.
- Funerals: A maximum of 50 mourners can attend a service. Related events, either before or after, should not take place.
- Weddings: A maximum of 50 guests can attend a service, while a maximum of six guests can attend an indoor reception or 15 for an outdoor reception.
- Public transport: Public transport will run at 50 per cent of normal capacity.
- Vaccine bonus: Fully vaccinated people can meet indoors with other fully vaccinated people as long as there are no more than three households present. Fully vaccinated people can also meet indoors with unvaccinated people from a single household, provided that they are not at risk of severe illness.
17 May
- Retail: All retail can reopen.
2 June (subject to the public health situation at the time)
- Accommodation services: Hotels, B&Bs and hostels can reopen but services – including leisure facilities and indoor restaurant and bar services – must be restricted to overnight guests and residents.
7 June (subject to the public health situation at the time)
- Outdoor Sports: Matches can recommence but no spectators are permitted.
- Gyms: Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres can reopen for individual training only.
- Hospitality: Outdoor services in restaurants and bars can recommence, with groups limited to a maximum of six people.
- Weddings: The numbers of guests attending wedding celebrations and receptions can increase to 25.
- Visitors: Visitors from one other household can be permitted indoors in private homes.
Also in June
The Government says work is continuing on the preparation for the safe reopening of cinemas and theatres in June subject to public health advice.
Next Steps
The Government has said a number of higher-risk activities will be considered over the coming period for later in the year.
These include:
- Indoor hospitality (restaurants, bars, nightclubs, casinos),
- Indoor team and group sports including matches, training and exercise classes,
- Mass gatherings and events with spectators indoors and outdoors,
- International travel.
For more information, see here.
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