While some things will stay the same, others will change in April.
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.
12 April
- Schools: In-school teaching to fully return. Early Learning and Childcare and school aged childcare services will be added to list of essential services for construction activity during these restrictions.
- Meeting other households: You can meet one other household outside but not in your garden or theirs, for social or recreational purposes. Any meetings outdoors should be safe with continued practising of social distancing and other safe behaviours. Masks should be worn in crowded outdoor spaces
- Travel: You can travel within your county or within 20km of your home if crossing county boundaries.
- Construction: All residential construction can restart as well as early-learning and childcare projects.
19 April
- GAA: Training for and playing of National Governing Body sanctioned and organised adult inter-county National Gaelic Games Leagues not including under 20 or minor competitions.
- Elite sport: High performing athletes, as approved by Sport Ireland, can resume.
26 April (depending on the public health situation)
- Outdoor sport: Outdoor sports facilities can reopen (for example: pitches, golf courses and tennis courts, other facilities as appropriate).
- Outdoor attractions: Outdoor visitor attractions can reopen (for example: zoos, open pet farms, heritage sites). Amusement parks are not permitted to open.
- Underage sport: Underage non-contact outdoor training and dancing in pods of 15 or fewer can restart.
- Funerals: Maximum attendance at funerals will increase to 25.
4 May
- Full reopening of construction activity.
- Phased return of non-essential retail commencing with click and collect and outdoor retail, for example: garden centres/nurseries
- Recommencement of personal services on a staggered basis.
- Reopening of museums, galleries and libraries.
- Recommencement of religious services on a staggered basis.
Vaccine Bonus
- Current guidance for those most vulnerable to the severe impacts of Covid-19 – the over 70s and the medically vulnerable - 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 two weeks since the second vaccine dose
